Aftercare Procedures Post Root Canal
Sydney is considered by many as one of the best cities in the world. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Sydney as the 5th best city in the world. Aside from having two of the most iconic landmarks, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, Sydney has a massive untouched coastline with inviting beaches and surf spots. Sydney also provides quality education, security, and other public services to its residents. Sydney residents also have access to the services of highly-trained medical and dental professionals. If you are a resident in Sydney, you can always find a professional dentist in sydney to treat your dental concerns.
Table of Contents
What is a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal is one of the most painful and major dental procedures that you may experience in your lifetime. A root canal involves the deep cleaning of the inner chambers of your teeth, removing the soft centre of the tooth. During this procedure, the root inside the tooth may get irritated, which causes intense pain. There is a misbelief that a root canal kills the tooth by damaging the nerve endings found inside the tooth. The nerves and the blood vessels inside the pulp chamber are still intact and are allowed to heal. The pain felt during a root canal procedure is the irritation felt by the nerve endings.
What to Do After a Root Canal Procedure?
After a root canal procedure, your mouth becomes a vulnerable place that is susceptible to infection. You will still feel some discomfort, and the gums surrounding the affected tooth may still be swollen. Your dentist in Sydney may likely prescribe Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and to manage the pain. The aftercare treatment for your root canal procedure will more likely be about pain management and can be divided into three stages.
Immediately After the Procedure.
Your mouth will feel numb for at least a couple of hours after a root canal. It is best not to eat or drink anything that is either too cold or too hot. If possible, do not eat and drink anything at all until the numbness subsides. If you already have the prescribed medicine, take it immediately after the procedure to lessen the pain and discomfort that you will experience.
The Days that Follow.
Starting day 2, the numbness would have subsided completely. However, you may still feel discomfort and pain. It is best to take medicines and follow the prescription of your dentist to the letter. The area surrounding your affected tooth may still be sensitive, so consider eating soft foods or if possible, switch to a liquid diet. If you need to chew, chew on the side that did not go through the root canal procedure. It would help if you also took extra precautions while brushing your teeth since your brush may hit the affected tooth too hard.
The pain and swelling of your mouth should subside within a few days to a week. However, if the pain lasts for more than a week, it is best to go back to your dentist for a follow-up checkup.
Future Care.
Your dentist may have used a temporary filling and may need to insert a permanent crown at some point. It is best to show up at the scheduled appointments.
Not following the above aftercare procedures may cause complications to occur. Your tooth may crack if you start eating hard, solid food immediately after the operation. Infections may occur if you stop taking the prescribed medicines.
By following the recommendations and prescriptions of your dentist, you are significantly minimizing the pain and discomfort you will feel after a root canal procedure. If you are in Sydney and need immediate dental care, visit a reputed dentist in Sydney and get the best treatment.

Alan Roodey is a professional Author and contributor to many sites. He loves to write on various topics.