Everything You Should Know About Root Canal Treatment

Everything You Should Know About Root Canal Treatment

Jun 08, 2021

Root canal treatment has been branded the most painful dental procedure, and many people get uneasy with the mention of it. That may have been the case some years back, but not anymore. Since the introduction of oral sedation, all dental procedures are painless. In this blog, we will discuss the treatment in detail to help you make an informed decision.

When Root Canal is Necessary

Typically, endodontic treatment is the last resort for a severely damaged, decayed, or infected tooth. If the tooth can’t be saved through endodontics, the dentist will extract it to prevent the spread of the infection. Here are some situations that could use a root canal treatment:

  • Dental trauma
  • Abscessed teeth
  • Tooth fracture
  • Extremely painful jaw
  • Cavities extending to the dental pulp
  • Extremely painful and sensitive teeth.

Your dentist will assess the need for endodontic treatment and treat you. If it’s not the right procedure for the problem, he will suggest an appropriate solution. We are here for you if you are looking for a dentist in Tampa.

The Root Canal Procedure

The treatment is completed in three major steps. These steps are:

Cleaning the Root Canal

First, the dentist removes everything on the root canal, including the infection. Typically, he will sedate you an hour or so before the procedure to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the cleaning. The dentist makes a hole in the target tooth and removes the dead and infected pulp tissues.

Filling the Root Canal

After thoroughly cleaning the tooth and removing the pulp tissues, the dentist will use rubber-like material to fill the “hole” he made. At this moment, your tooth will not be sensitive to anything.

Adding the Filling or Crown

The dentist will add a crown or fillings to strengthen your tooth, which is quite vulnerable at this point. After adding the crown, you can use the tooth to chew foods without worrying it will break. If the cavity or infection was not so severe, the dentist would just use dental fillings.

Recovery Time

The recovery period differs from one patient to another, but it usually takes between one and two weeks. Like most restorative dental procedures, you can expect a few discomforts during the recovery period. Luckily, the risk of complications is very low, and the discomforts disappear within a few days. Furthermore, there are a few things you can do to speed up your recovery period. Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and eat the right foods.

Food to Take after Root Canal

The dentist will advise you to take soft foods, especially in the first few days. Some foods you should add to your diet after root canal include:

  • Soft carbohydrates for energy. Some of the options you can try include thin pasta and pancakes.
  • Dairy foods, including ice cream, milkshakes, and eggs
  • Fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and pineapples; If possible, make smoothies instead of taking whole fruits.
  • Vegetables such as cabbages and cauliflowers. Be sure to serve them at a lukewarm temperature to avoid complications caused by too much heat.

Things to Avoid after Root Canal

  • Don’t take too hot foods.
  • Avoid crunchy fruits and foods, including apple and corn
  • Don’t take spicy foods until you are all healed up.
  • Don’t take alcohol during the recovery period, as it can delay healing.
  • Avoid smoking until you heal; if you can avoid it entirely, the better.
  • Avoid chewy and sticky foods such as candy and gum.

Home Care Instructions

Avoiding the “wrong” foods and eating the “right” ones will boost your recovery period drastically. Still, there are other things you can do to improve your recovery period even more. These things include:

  • Brush your teeth at least every morning and night before sleeping.
  • Floss your teeth at least once a day. Ideally, do it every night to get rid of the day’s food particles to prevent plaque build-up.
  • Take the recommended painkillers to manage the pain
  • Try the ice-cold compress method to manage pain or any swelling.
  • Contact the dentist ASAP if the above means won’t alleviate the pain and it becomes unbearable.

Wang and Cortes Dental

Talk to us if you are looking for a root canal treatment near you in Tampa. We are always ready to help, and you can count on us for high-quality services. Book an appointment now.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive dental care in Tampa, and we are accepting patients across the neighborhood including:

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