Tips to Manage Root Canal Pain at Home

If you have an infected tooth, a root canal is excellent in saving you from pain and ensuring your tooth doesn’t have to be extracted. Dr. Mark H Wright DDS offers safe and effective root canals to save smiles in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and its environs. Don’t let that compromised tooth make your life miserable. Root canal therapy is a virtually painless procedure that provides long-term pain relief.

Managing Pain After Root Canal

While the procedure isn’t painful, you will likely experience discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. This is normal, but you can manage the pain with home remedies. Dr. Mark Wright discusses aftercare tips following root canal therapy.

• Take prescribed medications: Besides pain medications, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, especially if the need for the root canal is a tooth infection. Take your medicines as prescribed, and complete the antibiotic dosage even if your symptoms improve halfway.
• Cold therapy: Place an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) on the jaw near the treated tooth. Cold numbs your nerves to relieve pain. It also reduces inflammation.
• Rinse your mouth with salty water: Swishing your mouth with warm, salted water can reduce the discomfort of many dental procedures. Salty water minimizes the chances of infection, while warm water soothes away the pain.
• Continue regular dental care hygiene: Taking care of your mouth shouldn’t stop after root canal treatment. Brush and floss your teeth as you usually do. However, be gentle around the treated tooth to avoid irritation. Also, stay away from alcohol-based mouthwashes until you heal completely.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking: Until pain and swelling subside, stay away from alcohol and smoking. These irritants may compromise your medications and interfere with the healing process.
• Additional tips: Limit chewing using the jaw with the treated tooth. It would help if you stuck to soft foods until your tooth is restored with a crown. Finally, limit your exercise regimen until the pain disappears—exertion and shaking your head may provoke pain.

Want to learn more about root canal therapy? Please dial (719) 624-4122 for a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Mark H Wright, DDS.