How to Prepare Yourself for Root Canal?

Decayed teeth elicit suggestions from dentists to undergo root canals. The treatment aims to preserve the tooth by eliminating damaged nerves and tissue inside the dental pulp. Approximately 15 million root canals are performed in America every year, according to the American Association of Endodontists.

While you might think root canals are painful and cause various complications, the treatment is highly effective and safe. Fortunately, you receive local anesthesia or other sedatives to ensure you don’t experience any pain during the procedure. Best of all, the treatment provides relief from the symptoms associated with decayed teeth, which include pain, swelling, and bleeding.

If you consider root canal treatment, you must see your dentist for an examination. The dentist will x-ray the truth to determine whether a root canal will help relieve your problems. You will be scheduled for the primary procedure if you receive the go-ahead. Unfortunately, if your tooth is severely impaired, the dentist recommends extracting it and replacing it with implants or dental bridges.

Preparing for Endodontic Treatment

You don’t have to indulge in intensive preparation before undergoing root canal therapy. The procedure itself is relatively quick and completed in one or two appointments, depending on which tooth needs the treatment. However, if you are unaware of how to prepare for the procedure, here are a few tips to help you.

Ask Questions

During your first visit to your dentist’s office, ensure that you ask questions about this treatment pertaining to the costs, expected results, anesthesia, after-care, et cetera. In addition, notify your dentist about any treatments or medications you are currently taking.

Arrange Transportation

When performing root canals, endodontics in Phoenix provides local anesthesia and sedation for anxiety and pain management. However, the sedation you receive makes you incapable of driving after your procedure. Therefore it helps if you arrange for a family member or friend to take you back home after your process and remain with you for at least 3 to 4 hours after dropping you home.

What Not to Eat before Root Canal Treatment?

Fasting before root canals isn’t necessary unless you are advised by your dentist. Therefore you can eat anything you want a few hours before your procedure to have the strength and nutrients to undergo the process.

Refrain from Having Alcohol or Smoking

You must avoid smoking before and after root canals for at least 24 hours because smoking, besides being harmful to your lungs, also delays the healing process. Alcohol also has similar effects because it dries out your mouth to complicate the procedure and lengthen the healing time.

Take Any Medications Prescribed

You might receive a prescription from the dentist for antibiotics to have before the treatment to prevent infections. Ensure that you take the medication as directed.

What Can We Eat after the Treatment?

After undergoing a root canal, you will experience discomfort in your mouth when the anesthesia begins wearing off. You might not desire to have foods for fear of irritating the treated tooth. However, you must keep yourself nourished to help with the recovery.

The dentist recommends avoiding sticky and hard foods besides sugary foods and beverages. However, when preparing for root canals, you help yourself by stocking your pantry with plenty of soft foods that don’t require chewing but can keep you nourished merely by swallowing. Foods like applesauce, yogurt, scrambled eggs, smoothies, et cetera are helpful in the initial days after your procedure.

Can We Use Mouthwash after Root Canal?

You must refrain from brushing around the treated tooth for the initial 24 hours to avoid irritating it. However, you can use a warm saltwater rinse as a mouthwash to rinse your mouth. If you think you must use mouthwash, request your dentist to recommend products suitable for your situation.

The Root Canal Procedure

When you arrive for your root canal, the dentist provides anesthesia to prevent pain and anxiety and relax you throughout the procedure. After isolating the affected tooth, the dentist drills it to expose the dental pulp before cleaning it to remove infected tissues. After ensuring the affected is thoroughly cleaned, the dentist disinfects it to prevent additional infections. Next, the tooth is filled and sealed with a rubber-like biocompatible material called gutta-percha, and a temporary filling is placed on the access hole created at the start of the treatment.

Finally, the dentist recommends you have the affected tooth protected by a dental crown after your recovery in a few days after the treatment.

Encanto Family Dental Care performs root canal treatments on many patients frequently. If you have a tooth causing excruciating pain and sensitivity to temperatures, please schedule an appointment with this facility to receive a treatment that prevents the need for tooth extraction.