If you have recently undergone a root canal in Winnipeg, then you may be wondering how to look after your teeth as your mouth heals. In this blog post, our team at Markham Dental Centre provides you with a few tips to help you recover from your procedure as quickly as possible.
What is a Root Canal?
Understanding what a root canal is and why you had to get one can help you look after your teeth following the procedure. The root of your tooth connects your tooth to your jaw and gums. You may require a root canal near you due to tooth decay that has reached the root of your tooth or due to an abscess around the root of your tooth.
During your procedure, your dentist will clean out the infected area and place a special type of filling in the canal. Since the tooth can become weak following a root canal, you will likely need a follow-up visit where your dentist in Winnipeg will place a protective crown over the tooth.
What to Expect After Your Procedure
Although getting a root canal means alleviating your pain, you may notice some tenderness and swelling immediately after your procedure. You may also have a sore jaw for a few days. Most of the time, the pain caused by root canal treatment can be controlled using over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, but in some cases, a dentist near you may prescribe stronger medications.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene After a Root Canal
It is vital that you continue to practice good oral hygiene after a root canal. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once daily, and use mouthwash to keep your mouth in good shape.
Once your root canal is completed, you will need to follow up with your dentist to ensure that everything has healed as expected. Then you can resume your regular dental cleanings and checkups every six months.
Possible Complications
While root canals have a very high success rate, there are some possible complications that you should be aware of.
Firstly, if your tooth has more roots than your dentist expects, then they may accidentally leave one untreated. This would leave some infection in your tooth, and you would experience lingering pain. If you notice similar symptoms to what you had before you underwent root canal treatment, speak to your dentist.
In some cases, the sealant used in a root canal can break down, which can lead to reinfection. Regular checkups with your dentist are the best way to avoid this.
In some rare cases, there may be a crack in the root of your tooth that remains undetected. If you have unusual symptoms, such as lingering or worsening pain after a couple of days, schedule a checkup with your dentist.
In the vast majority of cases, root canals do not cause any problems, and patients heal with no issues, going on to live happy healthy lives.
Visit Markham Dental Centre
If you would like to learn more about healing after a root canal, please feel free to contact our team of dedicated dental professionals at Markham Dental Centre. We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have so that you can continue to maintain optimal oral health for years to come.