Most people fear visiting dentists. However, by delaying regular dental visit, there is a risk that dental cavities will not be identified and treated at the initial stages of decay. Often when the pain becomes unbearable, this is when we visit the dentists and we are often advised to go for a root canal treatment because the decay is now not just limited to the enamel but has also reached the pulp cavity of the tooth.
The pulp of a tooth harbors the nerve fibers, which is why we experience such high intensity of pain. In a root canal treatment, the nerve fibers and blood vessels in the pulp chamber are removed along with the decayed tooth material caused by the bacterial infection. After removal of all the decay, the cavity is cleaned and roots are filed and filled with appropriate material often followed by placement of crown.
If left untreated, the infection can cause an abscess in the surrounding area which can intensify the pain and will need a longer treatment plan.
If you are finding it difficult to find a dentist near Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California because of covid-19, you can contact for an appointment at New Image Dental. Especial appointments can be made if you are an elderly patient or have any underlying medical condition that puts you in the high-risk category. This is to ensure that appropriate safety is maintained during your treatment and to protect you from being exposed to the virus as much as possible.
Aftercare post a root canal treatment
You will be given local anesthesia during the procedure so you might not feel the pain immediately after reaching home. However, after the effect of anesthesia wears off, the pain will return. The following aftercare tip will help you in sailing through a smooth recovery process:
- Brushing your teeth is important even after the procedure and you should not skip it just because you got a treatment done recently.
- Swelling might occur in the gums surrounding the treated tooth but should go down in a few days. If it stays the same or increases, contact your dentist immediately.
- If the crown or filing feels quite uncomfortable even after a few days of the procedure, visiting your dentist will be a wise idea.
- Take your pain-relieving medicine as prescribed by your dentist.
- Do not consume food immediately after the treatment and consume only soft food during the initial days of recovery.
- Keep your brushing strokes gentle to prevent damage to the filling.
- Never try to miss your follow-up appointment with your dentist even if you are feeling absolutely fine.
Sometimes the dental fillings done after a root canal are temporary and you need another visit to get a permanent one for your tooth. The entire procedure can take 3-4 sittings with the dentist depending upon the severity of the infection and the damage it has done to the tooth.
Neglecting follow-up appointments or proper after-care can result in infections of the pulp or tooth cracking as well. Although root canal is a non-invasive and nearly painless procedure, you still need to follow all the aftercare tips mentioned above to prevent any complications from occurring. If you feel that your pain has not been relieved after a few days, contact your dentist and make an appointment at the earliest.