If you have ever had a toothache, you already know how much it can hurt. But rather than ignoring the toothache and hoping it will go away on its own, it really should be seen to rule out the need for a root canal to restore a damaged tooth. Most folks associate root canals with pain, but ignoring an infected tooth often involves more and prolonged pain. If your painful tooth needs a root canal treatment, you can look forward to relief from pain faster. That is because a root canal treatment means the end of your pain is in sight, not the start of it!

A tooth can hurt if its pulp has inflammation or infection going on. Delaying treating the tooth means more pain for you to endure now. The good news is endodontic technology today has excellent means to minimize oral pain. A root canal can be done safely and quickly with minimal discomfort using proper anesthetics and skill, all while saving your tooth.

Take action to keep a tooth infection from becoming worse (it can become an abscess and make its way throughout a tooth’s root system). Our team’s goal is to keep you comfortable and any treatment you have with us pretty much pain-free. Thanks to advances in dental techniques and training, you will be in great hands.

Your treated tooth can feel sensitive post-op, and it is usually managed with the help of over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Tooth Sensitivity After Root Canal Treatment

You might feel sensitivity after a root canal if the gums stay swollen. It can happen if the dental instrument hurt some of the sensitive tissue around the tooth or if the temporary filling was placed too high (making the tooth sore when you bite down on it). But tooth sensitivity tends to lessen in the days after a root canal treatment was done. If it continues to hurt, you want to give our team a call to make sure it is healing.

Our endodontist can soothe your painful or injured tooth and reduce swelling in your face or the gums around a tooth. Root canal technology and techniques also lessen potential problems that could arise during and after your treatment. You may notice some discomfort a few hours after your root canal care, and the anesthetic has worn off. It can last for a few hours or a couple of days from swelling in the bone and soft tissues surrounding the tooth’s roots. To avoid this, stay on top of your pain management right away!

Managing Pain Post-Root Canal Treatment

Quell potential pain by using over-the-counter pain relievers prescribed, so they do not have time to wear off. If everything goes right, you should experience very little to no discomfort. Using over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) works wonders on inflamed tissues as long as you keep it in your system initially. Be sure to take the recommended dosage, and if it is not helping, your dentist can prescribe a stronger prescription. You also need to take your antibiotics if prescribed and use cold compresses outside the affected area to bring down pain and swelling. Apply this cold compress in five-minute cycles every 15-20 minutes, as needed.

Believe it or not, cleaning the tooth and the surrounding root canal area helps promote healing as long as you are gentle. Rinsing with salt water several times a day can also bring soothing relief to inflamed gums and tissues in the cheeks by lowering swelling.

Whatever you do, do not even try eating hard-to-chew foods as that will only inflame the area. Stick to soft foods, smoothies, soups, and things that will feel cool and good on your gums. If you are lying down, stack a couple of pillows to help keep the blood under your oral tissues from collecting around the treated area.

Receive Help Today

Following our post-op instructions helps keep discomfort to a minimum as the treated area heals. Keep an eye on your symptoms so you can apply appropriate measures quickly and reduce potential problems. Before you know it, you will have the relief you need from the infected tooth that caused you trouble, to begin with! Having a root canal is the beginning of the end of that tooth pain. Give Man Dental a call at 909-590-2229 today to learn more or to schedule an appointment at our practice in Chino Hills, California.