What Root Canal Recovery Really Entails
How long does it take to recover from a root canal? That’s what I had asked my dentist before I underwent the procedure. While the length of time will vary depending on the patient, here are some things you can expect to experience during your root canal recovery time.
Root canal recovery time: what to expect
While root canal recovery time is highly variable and depends on how bad your tooth hurts, how well you take care of yourself, and how skilled your dentist is, it’s a good idea to plan for several weeks or even a month (or more) of rest. You may also want to consider taking painkillers such as ibuprofen, although many dentists recommend against them. All in all, dental health is very important and you should try to avoid putting off treatment if at all possible! If there are any concerns about your oral health that can’t be addressed by a standard cleaning and check-up, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for an exam.
They’re professionals who are happy to answer questions and help make sure you keep your smile healthy. Before long, your new crown will come in (often within a week!) after which getting numb won’t require days upon days of waiting around — just an afternoon at home with a book or movie when it’s scheduled. And then before you know it, all these frightening tales of teeth needing to get taken out will no longer seem like anything but stories told by people long gone… stories meant to scare us into keeping up with preventative care so we never find ourselves needing their services — or those like them — anyway. As they say: knowledge is power!
My tooth really hurts…
One thing that most people know about root canals is that they hurt. Your dentist numbs your tooth with a local anesthetic, but since they’re going to be working inside your tooth, it’s impossible to completely eliminate all discomfort. But if you know what to expect during root canal recovery and are prepared for some post-treatment soreness and temporary disfigurement, you can make your dental procedure go more smoothly. Here are five things to keep in mind before you go under anesthesia so that your crown lengthening will go as well as possible.
There’s no pain worse than a toothache…: Before heading off to see Dr. Jones for a long-delayed root canal treatment, I assumed my only concerns would be fear of needles and fear of needles—or perhaps even both! Anesthesia isn’t entirely risk free; although modern drugs have made dentistry much safer than it was years ago (there’s only one known fatality linked to lack of oxygen during local anesthetics), there are still risks associated with any medical procedure that requires anesthesia—and particularly risky situations (such as pregnant women) should avoid having any sort of invasive dental work done at all.
How soon can I go back to work?
After your root canal procedure, you’ll most likely be able to return to work in a couple of days. When back at work, avoid strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects or anything that might cause additional stress on your tooth. You may need to eat softer foods for a few days after your root canal procedure, but you should begin easing back into normal eating habits as soon as possible so you can get enough vitamins and nutrients.
You will also be prescribed pain medication following your procedure and will be instructed on how and when to take it. Unless otherwise directed by your dentist, taking pain medication before getting out of bed in the morning is usually sufficient. If you are experiencing pain during your waking hours, it’s important to take another dose. Be sure to follow all directions regarding over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, even if they conflict with information provided by your dentist or physician.
If needed (and if approved), schedule a follow-up appointment with our office approximately seven days after your root canal procedure to monitor any signs of infection or discomfort. Although some discomfort will be present initially following surgery, you shouldn’t experience any long-term pain from an uncomplicated treatment session. It’s also important that you adhere to all instructions related to diet and oral hygiene because these factors affect overall recovery time as well as preventing infection from recurring
How long will the swelling last?
In most cases, root canal recovery means a week or two of moderate pain and soreness—but it can last longer in some people. The good news is that dentists have found a way to perform root canals while minimizing post-procedure pain and swelling. But even with today’s advanced techniques, there are still lingering variables. For example, how well your body reacts to local anesthetic and whether you suffer from certain medical conditions (like uncontrolled diabetes) can increase your chances of post-operative swelling. And how long symptoms linger isn’t always predictable; in rare cases, some patients experience delayed onset swelling days or weeks after their procedure. And if you don’t keep taking prescribed antibiotics on schedule, infection may set in before you know it.
Are there any complications I should be worried about?
Although there are usually no serious complications associated with a root canal, you may experience some mild issues. You may have a low-grade fever, mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. Chills, muscle aches or headaches in some cases. These symptoms can last up to a week but should pass as your body heals from the treatment. If your symptoms persist after several days, contact your dentist.
The root canal recovery timeline you need to know
It is important to understand that root canal recovery time differs among patients. Your timeline will be influenced by a number of factors such as. Location of affected tooth, extent of damage to nerve/tissue, your medical history and if antibiotics were used during treatment. It can take up to six months for your mouth to fully recover from a root canal procedure. During that time, you may experience side effects such as sensitivity, swelling or bleeding.
What Root Canal Recovery Really Entails
How long does it take to recover from a root canal? That’s what I had asked my dentist before I underwent the procedure.
The Symptoms of a Root Canal Problem
These symptoms indicate that a root canal problem could be causing an infection. Left untreated, it can spread through your jawbone and cause irreparable damage.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
Root canal recovery time will vary from person to person, as it’s a subjective experience. Most people are able to resume their regular daily activities (and eat their favorite foods) within two days of treatment. Your dentist can also recommend home remedies for easing any discomfort you may have during root canal recovery time.
What to Expect from Your Treatment
Maintain your regular dental hygiene routine; in addition to helping keep your teeth and gums healthy, it will also keep odors at bay while you’re healing. For patients who smoke cigarettes or use chewing tobacco products, quitting prior to having a root canal is best for oral health (as well as overall health).
How to Stay Healthy During Recovery
When root canal surgery is necessary, it can seem like your life will never be normal again.
