Temporary Filling After Root Canal: Procedure, Dos and Don’ts
There are more than 15 million root canals done in the US yearly. Despite this, some people dread the procedure since they find it intimidating. Tooth decay, if untreated, can lead to severe symptoms and issues such as pain, tooth loss, and swollen gums. Root canal therapy in San Rafael, CA, is recommended to prevent severe decay and save your teeth. That’s why learning aftercare tips for root canals is essential to ensure your teeth remain healthy and painless for years.
Overview of Root Canal
Root canal treatment is done to restore a severely infected or damaged tooth. During root canal therapy near you, the dentist will remove the infected or inflamed part of the pulp tissues inside the tooth. The pulp is the innermost part of your tooth that hold the nerves and blood vessels. When a bacteria infects the pulp, it leads to decay and inflammation. A root canal procedure can stop the infection before it spreads to the whole tooth structure, jawbone, and gums. After removing the infected part, the dentist will clean and disinfect the tooth before sealing it with temporary fillings to prevent reinfection.
Root Canal Procedure
Before getting a root canal procedure, our dental teams will examine your tooth and take X-rays to check the extent of the damage and which tooth has been affected. If the damage is extreme, your dentist may recommend extraction. Our emergency dentist near you appreciates early treatment before too much damage has occurred. Here is what to expect during the procedure:
- Sedation. You’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the targeted area. This ensures that your experience is comfortable and pain-free. If you suffer from dental anxiety, the dentist will sedate you for calmness and relaxation.
- Drilling. A hole will then be drilled into your tooth’s enamel to access the infected pulp. The dentist will use special dental tools to make this possible.
- Cleaning. Next, the pulp is cleaned to remove the infection and bacteria. The nerves and the blood vessels are also removed, and your tooth can survive without them since it has already matured.
- Sealing or Filling. The dentist will then seal the hole with a dental filling to prevent reinfection or re-entry of bacteria. A temporary filling is placed first to allow the canal to heal before the permanent restoration is fixed.
Aftercare Tips After Root Canal Procedure
Here is what to do and not to do, as a root canal is healing.
Do’s
- Diet
After you have received your temporary filling, you should eat a diet that consists of soft foods. Most of these foods won’t require you to chew or bite down. As your rot canal heals, you can treat yourself to the following:
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Porridge
- Oral Hygiene
Maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, including flossing once daily, brushing your teeth twice daily, and rinsing your mouth with recommended antiseptic mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to avoid damaging your enamel. Additionally, do dental checkup follow-ups with your dentist to ensure your healing process is as expected.
- Pain Management
It’s normal to feel discomfort days after the root canal procedure. These uncomfortable sensations can last a few days or persist for a week. Take prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication. Rinse your mouth with salty lukewarm water to ease pain and swelling thrice daily.
Don’ts
Foods To Avoid After Root Canal
To avoid damaging the temporary filling placed, here are foods you avoid after the treatment.
- Hard Foods like nuts and candy can dislodge your temporary filling.
- Chewy and sticky foods such as caramel candy and steaks can dislodge the temporary filling and cause pain after a root canal. Additionally, they can pull out the temporary filling or place pressure on the teeth and cause discomfort.
- Acidic foods. The treated area is more sensitive than ever after root canal treatment. Acidic foods such as oranges and lemons will cause irritation and discomfort.
Avoid Putting Pressure on the Tooth
After your appointment:
- Avoid putting too much pressure on the tooth.
- Use the opposite side to chew your food until the permanent filling is placed.
- Wear night guards if you suffer from teeth grinding or bruxism even after you have received the permanent filling.
At Rafael Dentistry, we have performed hundreds of root canal treatments. Contact our emergency dentist for a consultation if you are experiencing swollen gums or pain.