Not Ready For Your Root Canal? How To Prepare And What To Expect After Surgery

Despite the procedure being incredibly common, root canals can be a little frightening if you've never had one before. If you're facing your first root canal, you don't have to be afraid. Just take steps to protect yourself before and after the surgery, and everything should go smoothly. With the right precautions and maintenance, a previously sick tooth can be back to normal in no time.

When Talking To Your Doctor

The consultation before a surgery is the perfect time to get information in writing that you or your caregiver may need to know once the root canal is complete. Be sure to take notes on the specific time of day you need to take medications or other important conditions of their use, like whether you need to eat first or drink a glass of water with a pill. 

You should also let your doctor know about any other medicines you may be taking or dietary supplements you may use, since these can potentially interfere with the pills your doctor plans to prescribe. Taking good notes and asking questions at this stage will help you and your caregiver handle any issues that might arise during your recovery, when you may not be conscious enough to remember important medical information..

Directly After The Procedure

Your temporary caregiver should be at the dentist's office to pick you up directly after the surgery. Do not try to take public transport or drive, as the anesthetic and pain medications can cause you to be confused and only semi-conscious. Once you get home, refrain from doing anything that involves sharp objects, such a cooking meals, and call for help when you need to get in and out of bed to prevent falls. Resting and letting your caregiver take care of you is the best way to avoid a post-surgery accident.

When it comes to prescribed medications, your notes will come in handy. Pain medicine takes time to kick in, so be sure to take it exactly when and how the doctor recommends. If you wait until you're already in pain, relief could take minutes or even hours. Antibiotics should also be taken carefully according to your notes, and you should be careful to completely finish the regimen. Stopping a course early can significantly raise your risk of infection from drug-resistant bacteria.

If your pain cannot be controlled with medicine, your face begins to swell, or you start running a fever, contact your dentist immediately. These are all signs of rare complications that may pose a threat to your health. 

After Your Second Appointment

During your second appointment, your temporary filling will be removed, along with any antibiotic medicine the dentist may have put int he cavity. Once cleaned out, the cavity will be filled back in with a permanent filling. Unless your filling comes out accidentally, this will be the last step in your root canal procedure.

Once your mouth is healed, your oral hygiene regiment can proceed as normal for the most part. The treated tooth will become sensitive to dehydration, which can weaken the dentin and enamel tooth body. Be sure to stay well hydrated to help combat this. Because the tooth is weakened, you'll need to avoid abrasive toothpaste and hard-bristle toothbrushes. Instead, opt for a medium or soft brush and ask your dentist for a toothpaste recommendation. Flossing and mouthwash use can continue as normal.

Don't let yourself be intimidated by the prospect of a root canal. Be prepared and make sure your caregiver knows what to expect. With careful oral hygiene and thorough notes about care after the surgery, you'll be right as rain without incident just a few days after your procedure.

For more information, contact a local dental clinic like Rose City Dental Care.