Did you know that root canals aren’t as scary as you think they are? If you take good care of yourself, your mouth and gums should feel normal within a week or two following your procedure. To speed up your recovery, be sure to follow the instructions from your root canal dentist in Park Falls.
Tips to Help You Speed Up Your Root Canal Recovery
Take Pain Medication
You may experience some discomfort in your jaws and gum when the effects of the anesthetic from the procedure wear off. Before this happens, you’ll want to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication or any antibiotics your dentist prescribes.
Keep Your Head Elevated
Swelling and pain around your mouth may occur straight after your procedure’s completed. You can effectively minimize the pain by keeping your head elevated for the first few days while you sleep.
Eat Something Cold or Use a Cold Compress
Besides keeping the swelling down, eating ice cream after your root canal is also a great way to make the discomfort go away. If you’re not a big fan of ice cream, you may also apply a cold compress on the affected area for about 15 minutes a few times a day for the first few days after your procedure.
Gargle Warm Salt Water
Regularly gargling with warm and salty water will help you eliminate the risk of infection that may potentially develop the gum surrounding the treated tooth.
Avoid Exercise
Exercising too soon after your root canal treatment will worsen your discomfort and slow down your healing process. It’s best to avoid strenuous physical activities such as playing sports, physical labor, running, or hiking for at least 48 hours following your procedure.
Don’t Smoke
The chemicals you inhale from smoking tobacco will interfere with the healing process and slow it down. If you’re having a hard time kicking the habit, try using nicotine patches.
Looking for a Root Canal Dentist in Park Falls?
At Northwoods Dentistry, we’re proud to offer the latest in dental technologies so that you can enjoy the best in-office experience. If you want to start bringing new life to your smile, book an appointment with our team of specialists today.