Root canal treatment is done when pulp inside the tooth becomes infected. The procedure involves removing the pulp and nerve from the root of the tooth, then filling root canals with special material and sealing them.
What Causes Root Canal Pain After Treatment?
Some pain and discomfort after root canal treatment is normal and expected. The good news is that it should go away in a few days. In this article we will explain what causes root canal pain after treatment and how to deal with it.
Pain and Root Canal Treatment Recovery Process
Root canal treatment involves such steps as:
- Making a hole in the crown of the tooth in order to reach the pulp chamber
- Removing the infected pulp
- Cleaning the root canals of your tooth
- Reshaping the canals afterward
- Filling and sealing the canals with a special dental material
The procedure is done using local anesthetic and is not painful in the process, but it is still an invasive procedure. On top of that, tissues surrounding the tooth can also get irritated during the procedure.
These are the reasons why you might experience pain or discomfort for a few days following the procedure. Some time is needed for the tissues in your mouth to calm down and get back to normal. Mild pain after the treatment does not mean that the procedure has failed or was of bad quality.
Severe Pain After Root Canal Therapy
If you experience severe pain, or if it lasts for more than a few days, contact your dentist. Such pain can be caused by several issues:
Pain is an indicator of inflammation or infection. Infection following the procedure can happen if cleaning of the canals is insufficient and some bacteria remain in the canals. Usually, antibiotics are prescribed to deal with infection.
Another cause for pain that does not go away after the procedure is that too much filling material was used to seal the canals. It might create pressure, and you can experience pain when you bite down on the tooth.
Incomplete procedure. This means that your dentist might have missed one of the canals or damaged nerves while performing the cleaning. So, the initial problem that called for root canal treatment to begin with, remains unsolved, and the pain procedes. Another indicator that a nerve is left in the tooth is its sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures for longer than a few days.
Sometimes, the surrounding tissues can be accidentally damaged during the procedure. Usually it is not serious and they will heal with time. However, contact your dentist if there is severe swelling, redness, and signs of infection.
How to Deal with Pain After Root Canal Treatment
There are several ways to treat pain after a root canal:
Medication
If pain is challenging to tolerate, try other-the-counter painkillers. Ibuprofen is typically recommended by dentists for tooth pain relief. However, always follow the prescription and do not excede the recommended dose.
Temperature Control
Ice compresses can help with pain and swelling, too. Hold an ice pack against the outer surface of your cheek for 15 minutes at a time. Take at least 20-minute breaks between compresses.
Saltwater
Gargle your mouth with salt water solution. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water to prepare the gargle. Saltwater can reduce inflammation and kill bacteria, promoting healing.
Elevation
Try sleeping on an elevated pillow. This might reduce the pain, because it prevents the blood from flowing in excess to the affected area.
Food Choices
Avoid hard and crunchy foods that can irritate the gums or cause unnecessary pressure to the tooth that underwent root canal treatment.
Avoid very cold or very hot foods and beverages. If your tooth and gums remain sensitive for some time after the procedure, exposing them to extreme temperatures can cause a lot of discomfort and irritation.
Keep It Clean
Maintain good oral hygiene. Making sure that no bacteria and food debris linger in your mouth will prevent complications after the root canal treatment. Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly twice a day.
Be gentle when brushing and flossing and do not use toothbrushes with hard bristles. Especially avoid further damaging the tissue surrounding the treated tooth if it is already irritated.
If you are considering a root canal treatment or concerned with results of your previous treatment, do not hesitate to make an appointment at Monte Vista Dental Group. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our office. Apart from high quality root canal treatments, we provide a variety of procedures performed by our cosmetic dentist to ensure that your smile is as healthy as it can be.