Understanding What You Need To Do After Root Canal Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with a dental infection, then your dentist may suggest that a root canal be performed. This is a standard procedure in general dentistry when a tooth is decayed or infected. If the root canal is scheduled soon, then you may be worried about the treatment and whether or not it will be uncomfortable. You may not be immediately concerned about what you need to do after the treatment is over. However, this is extremely important. Keep reading to learn about what you should do once the root canal is finished.
Take All Antibiotics
Root canals are performed to remove the dental pulp, the nerve, and all of the infected tissues and bacteria that have developed inside the pulp chamber. During the cleaning, your dentist will spend some time using specialized tools to clean out the small roots of your teeth. Very small amounts of bacteria may be left in the roots. Specifically, bacteria are likely to gather at the very ends of the roots and the infection can continue.
Your dentist may place some medication inside your tooth to keep a new infection from starting and also to keep the treated infection from continuing. You also will be asked to take some antibiotics that will kill the remaining bacteria. It is wise to take the oral medication as directed and also to finish your medication completely.
Also, you should pay attention to increasing levels of pain once the root canal is completed. This may indicate that the infection has started to develop once again and another root canal may be needed.
Avoid Chewy Foods
Once the root canal is completed, your tooth will be either sealed with a cap or a temporary crown will be secured on your tooth. The cap allows the medication to work inside the tooth so the pulp chamber can be filled in later. The temporary crown seals off the tooth and protects it until a permanent crown can be constructed and cemented on the tooth.
Caps and temporary crowns can be easily pulled away from the treated tooth. This can leave your tooth open to bacteria and debris that can cause tooth damage and a new infection. To keep caps and crowns securely in place, avoid chewy foods that may pull the implements away from the tooth. Also, avoid tough and hard foods as well that may place undue stress on the crown or cap.
Once a permanent filling or dental crown is cemented on your tooth, you will be free to eat the foods that you desire.