Root canals. Just the same alone is enough to send people running from the dentist. Many people perceive root canals as unbearably painful procedures with long recovery times. However, root canals are not as unpleasant as most people think. Actually, you can compare root canals to many other routine dental procedures.
In fact, root canals relieve pain rather than cause more of it. Typically, dentists will perform a root canal treatment to remove the infection from within your tooth. Most infections cause pain, but mostly, they are dangerous to leave untreated. A root canal treatment is a safe and effective method of removing decay and saving your tooth.
If your dentist recommends a root canal, there is no need to worry. However, perhaps learning more about the procedure can help quell your fears.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal procedure removes decayed portions of a tooth or infected pulp. With decay and infections, patients can experience severe pain and discomfort. The goal of a root canal is to lessen the pain and get rid of the infection.
Without treatment, an infection can spread to the gums, other teeth, or even other parts of the body. As a matter of fact, infections can be incredibly dangerous. In addition, the close proximity to the brain poses a huge risk.
Dentists use root canals in order to save as much of the natural tooth as possible. This can help restore function for chewing, speaking, and even smiling.
Is It Painful?
In order to get a root canal, a patient has to receive local anesthesia, which means the area will be completely numb. Therefore, you won’t be able to feel any part of the procedure. This means that you won’t experience any pain during the process. With this process, a root canal will be similar to any other routine dental procedure, such as a dental filling.
With a root canal, you may feel soreness for a few days after the procedure. However, you should never experience extreme pain. This could be an indicator that you have a complication that needs correction.
Recovery
In general, recovery from a root canal lasts no more than a week. Following the procedure, you will feel mild to moderate discomfort, but it should be manageable with medications. Because of the anesthetic, the surgical site will be numb for several hours. However, you will be able to return to work quickly. You should be cautious eating until the numbness completely disappears.
Treat the area with care in order to heal more quickly. You should still brush and floss like normal. Proper dental care is always essential for recovery. Although, you should be gentle to avoid any discomfort. Eating soft foods can help to minimize any additional pain. Also, using an ice pack can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Suppose you are still feeling pain after a week. In that case, you should contact your dentist to ensure that there were no complications during your procedure.