Recovering From Your Root Canal 

Root canal therapy offers the chance to treat an infection while saving your natural tooth. It’s often the preferred approach for both patients and practitioners. Root canals are relatively straightforward procedures, but there will be a recovery process once your tooth is restored. 

Leslie Azran, DDS, believes that informed patients have the best outcomes, and she strives to provide patient education as part of each treatment process. When it comes to having a root canal through BH Dental NY, residents of the Morningside Heights area of Harlem, New York City, can enhance their recovery by taking some simple steps in the days and weeks after the procedure. 

Understanding the steps in a root canal

It’s helpful to enter the process with a full understanding of why your root canal is necessary and what happens during the actual procedure. A root canal works by removing infected pulp from the innermost chamber of your tooth. 

Pulp is a mix of connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels that fills the hollow chamber in your tooth. It’s living tissue, and works to process sensory data, nourish the tooth, and helps manufacture dentin, which is the layer of hard tissue just beneath your tooth enamel. 

Pulp also contains some immune cells to help fight against infection. But if bacteria enters the tooth through a chip, crack, or extensive decay, your body may not be able to fight off the infection. That’s where a root canal comes in. 

Dr. Azran begins by numbing the area before creating a small opening in your tooth to gain access to the inner chamber. She then uses special tools to remove all traces of the infected pulp, replacing it with a material called gutta percha after disinfecting the empty chamber. 

Next, she closes the opening with a tiny filling. A new dental crown completes the treatment and protects the tooth from harm. 

Recovery usually takes less than a week

In the hours after your root canal, a degree of soreness in the treatment area is normal. It takes a few hours for the full effects of the numbing shot to wear off, at which point you’ll likely begin to feel some minimal discomfort. 

Over-the-counter pain medication is usually all that’s needed to keep you comfortable after a root canal. You might also feel some tightness or tenderness in your jaw. That’s because you had to keep your mouth open throughout the procedure, and these sensations will fade within a day or two.  

Your body recovers rapidly after root canal therapy, but you can ease this process by making good choices as you recover. 

How to have the best possible recovery experience

Putting a little effort into your recovery can make it easier to bounce back after root canal treatment. If you smoke, you can dramatically improve your recovery by finding a way to quit in the weeks leading up to your visit. Smoking impedes your circulation, which is an essential part of the healing process. 

Be sure to choose soft foods for a few days after your root canal. Things like baked potatoes, pasta, yogurt, and cooked vegetables are both nourishing and easy to chew. Avoid biting down on hard foods with the treated tooth for a couple of weeks. 

Brushing and flossing is important after any dental treatment. Just take care to avoid putting too much pressure on the area surrounding your treated tooth. An antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce oral bacteria to reduce the risk of infection. 

Of course, pay close attention to your body after a root canal. If you experience any severe pain, bleeding, or signs of infection (like a fever or chills), give our office a call right away. The team at BH Dental NY is here for you as you recover from your root canal therapy, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns you have. 

You can access our online booking tool any time of day, or give us a call during routine business hours if you need to schedule a visit.