Modern root canals are safe and effective, despite rumors to the contrary. You can trust them to save your teeth, keep your smile secure, and so on. Even so, endodontics can leave your smile a tad sore once it’s over; such pain may worry you. Your Beverly dentist has thus stopped by to put these ache-related worries to rest. To that end, here’s a primer on what to expect from (and how to respond to) pain after a root canal.
Minor Pain Is Normal
After they’ve had a root canal, most patients only experience minor pain. This kind of ache is normal and doesn’t point to troubling smile problems.
Mild discomfort post-treatment means your tooth is tender. That’s a natural outcome, as your pearly white must adjust to having its pulp removed. The anesthetic used for your procedure will have also worn off, so the numbness felt during your appointment won’t persist. Your jaw could also be prompting some pain; it may be sore from staying open for so long.
This post-care pain should fade after a few days, so it’s nothing to worry over. You can also manage it with good oral habits in the meantime. For instance, proper oral hygiene will keep debris and bacteria away from the treatment site.
Severe Pain Is Abnormal
Unlike minor pain, severe pain after a root canal is concerning. The latter indicates that your oral health isn’t doing well at all.
Several worrying things can cause such intense soreness. One example is inflamed gum tissue, which might have been irritated by the prior procedure. Another would be a dental instrument having damaged a sensitive area near your tooth. If the dentist failed to completely clean the canal, a re-infection could also cause more pain.
When the causes above are at work, you mustn’t ignore your pain. You should instead get professional help from a dental provider.
When to See a Dentist for Help
To gauge whether your post-treatment pain is serious, monitor yourself for other notable signs. These include the following:
- Facial Swelling
- An Uneven Bite
- A High Fever
- Flu-Like Symptoms
If you show such symptoms, you likely have a major oral issue. The problem could be anything from an infection to a cracked or fractured tooth. Therefore, you’ll need to see a dentist to prevent further complications.
You should expect some pain after a root canal, but not that much. Visit your local practice if or when it gets worse!
About the Practice
Beverly Farms Dental is based in Beverly, MA. Led by Drs. Tolzmann, Quintero, and Cifuni, our practice always makes your smile goals and priorities its own. That means we personalize our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative procedures to suit you and your preferences! Whether you need a dental checkup or dental implants, we’ll provide you with a grin you love. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (978)-927-3515.
