Root canal therapy has a poor reputation. The popular media portrays it as an extremely painful experience. You should not buy into such ideas. The reality is that a root canal can be a very comfortable experience, though it is expected that you will experience some soreness after the appointment. How much pain is normal after a root canal? Continue reading to gain a basic idea of what you might go through.
Soreness and Tenderness Are Expected
During root canal therapy, your dentist will remove the nerve from inside your tooth. Therefore, any preexisting toothache should completely disappear. However, the procedure itself might cause some discomfort.
The movement of dental instruments in your mouth is likely to cause some inflammation and tenderness, no matter how careful your dentist is. Plus, the filling material that gets placed inside a tooth after a root canal can lead to discomfort and soreness, especially if it is high enough to interfere with your bite.
The good news is that most people feel back to normal within a few days to a week of their procedure. In the meantime, you can manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications and a modified diet. You should also get adequate rest; exerting yourself too much too soon could slow down your body’s ability to heal.
Extreme Pain Is a Red Flag
You should not experience any extreme or debilitating pain after your root canal. If you do, do not try to simply tough it out. Rather, call your dentist right away. It is possible that some infected tissue was left behind in your tooth; it can instigate a fresh toothache and lead to the need for root canal retreatment. (Do not let this possibility scare you; the vast majority of initial root canals are successful.)
The need for root canal retreatment can arise at any time, even years after your tooth goes back to feeling normal. At the first sign of any unusual symptoms in your treated tooth, it would be wise to get in touch with your dentist.
Of course, it is also possible that unusual pain following a root canal is not related to infected tissue. Some patients use a heavy hand with their oral hygiene routine or try to resume eating hard foods too quickly after their procedure. Such missteps can cause pain. Strive to be patient with yourself and give your body the time it needs to adequately recover.
Root canal therapy is not nearly as scary as it is made out to be. If you carefully follow your posttreatment instructions, you will likely have a smooth and problem-free recovery.
Meet the Practice
Gillis Dental is home to four talented dentists, all of whom are eager to help patients enjoy improved oral health and a comfortable care experience. If you have questions about root canal therapy or what it feels like, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our Needham office at 781-202-6357.