A root canal procedure arouses fear and anxiety in many people. However, after their appointment, they feel much better.

When people opt for a root canal treatment, they often inquire about the root canal recovery time.

Hence, in this blog, we will help you understand the process of recovery after a root canal and explore the factors that contribute to rapid recovery.

Let's begin!

Learn More: How Much Does A Root Canal Cost In Toronto

The Initial Repercussions of a Root Canal Treatment in Ontario

If you just got a root canal or the treatment date is getting closer, you must be thinking about what will happen next.

So, before discussing the root canal recovery time, let's talk about the initial days following a root canal.

In the beginning, some discomfort and sensitivity are common. To aid pain management, your dentist in Ontario may suggest over-the-counter remedies or prescribe painkillers.

Additionally, the application of an ice pack will be an effective measure to manage pain in the initial stages.

It's critical to pay attention to your eating patterns throughout this period. You should avoid placing strain on the tooth that has been treated by sticking to soft, easily chewed foods.

Keeping your mouth clean is essential for the best possible healing. Brushing and flossing the treated area should be done gently, as it may be painful. To reduce inflammation, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Root canals have a 95% success rate, and complications are uncommon.

Yet, it's integral to remain on the lookout for any possible problems. For instance, if you experience continuous discomfort, swelling, or discharge from the treated tooth location, talk to your dentist right away.

Each person's experience with a root canal operation is different, so what one person goes through may not be the same for another.

However, you can accelerate the root canal recovery time by adhering to these instructions and communicating with your dentist at every stage.

Root Canal Recovery Time

Following a root canal procedure, the healing period may range from a few days to several weeks.

A dull ache and mild inflammation may be felt in the early days following the treatment, and these go away with time.

It won't take long for you to return to eating regular meals, as over-the-counter medications are effective in treating most pain and discomfort.

11 Things That Speed Up the Root Canal Recovery Time

To go back to your normal routine as soon as possible, here are the tips to help you quicken the root canal recovery time.

1.Taking Rest In the Initial Stage

It will take 48 to 72 hours to recover from the root canal's effects. After a day, you may feel like resuming your daily chores as usual.

However, you should take it easy and avoid doing anything that is physically demanding until three days have passed. This will surely work to speed up the root canal recovery time.

This helps eliminate any sedative or anesthesia in the system and promotes healthy healing around the gums and roots.

2.Sleeping with a Pillow

You will have discomfort and swelling in the oral area following the operation.

For the first few nights of the root canal recovery time, you can reduce that swelling by sleeping with your head raised.

By keeping your head elevated on an additional pillow, you may feel less pain in your mouth and face.

3.Using Warm Salted Water to Gargle

Gargling with salt and warm water can help you maintain good oral hygiene and prevent gum disease around your damaged tooth.

The recommended ratio is half a teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm. The water should be lukewarm and not boiling.

4.Getting Enough Sleep

After the root canal, spend the rest of the day in bed to expedite the root canal recovery time.

If it is necessary for you to return to go to work or school make sure you receive 8 to 10 hours of sleep the following day.

Exhaustion may strain your dental work and raise the possibility of secondary problems. Hence, taking care of your sleep is mandatory after a root canal procedure.

5.Not Ignoring Fever or Bleeding

After the treatment, the root canal should naturally heal over the next few days.

Given that it suggests infection, a fever is a more dangerous indicator of a problem. If an infection develops following a root canal, it needs to be treated quickly.

Similarly, after the procedure, you should call the dentist and maybe arrange an appointment if you observe any bleeding beyond the initial spotting.

If you overlook these symptoms, it may delay the root canal recovery time.

6.Eating Ice Cream & Applying Ice Pack

Managing inflammation alleviates discomfort and helps significantly with the root canal recovery time.

Therefore, after your root canal surgery, applying cold compresses and eating ice cream will help minimize swelling.

Avoid eating ice cream with that portion of your mouth since you can experience dental sensitivity in the impacted tooth.

Apply a cold compress several times a day for up to 15 minutes at a time until the swelling goes down.

7.Don't Work Out for a Few Days

Exercising too soon can cause you to bleed again. Remember, during your root canal recovery time, you should not worry about your fitness goals.

Give yourself a break till you recover. Once you are able to preserve your dental health, you can simply focus on your gym and other physical activities.

8.Consume All Prescription Drugs

Take all antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications that are safe and suitable as directed by the endodontist or dentist.

Since many root canal procedures don't cause much discomfort during the healing phase, pain medication should only be used when necessary. Steer clear of heavy lifting and exercise.

9.Waiting For the Numbness to Disappear

Our dentists in Ontario frequently advise that you abstain from eating and drinking the night before or the morning of the treatment.

You'll have to restrict yourself to meal-replacement drinks or milkshakes until the numbness subsides.

So, even if you are craving something specific, keep in mind that it can cause problems in the root canal recovery time.

10.Giving up Smoking

It is advised to abstain from smoking and vaping for at least a week following any dental operation, including a root canal.

In addition to causing damage to the healing region, vaping, cigarettes, or inhaling nicotine can also cause the gums to become dry.

If, throughout the root canal recovery time, you can't control the urge to nicotine, switch to non-oral options like patches.

11.Handling the Temporary Crown Carefully

A temporary crown seals and shields the tooth as soon as a root canal is finished.

You should be extra careful with it as it is not as strong, so until your new crown is intact, chew gently and avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods.

FAQs

What happens within the first twenty-four hours following a root canal?

You may feel some sensitivity and discomfort in the treated area within the first 24 hours. Tenderness and swelling are also typical. Most of the time, over-the-counter painkillers are adequate to handle any pain.

When can I resume eating normally during the root canal recovery time?

As soon as the anesthesia wears off, you can resume eating. However, to avoid damaging the tooth, it is best to wait to chew on the treated side of your tooth until your permanent filling or crown is in place.

How should I handle my pain following a root canal?

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are two examples of over-the-counter pain medications that control discomfort. You can reduce pain and swelling by washing the afflicted region with warm salt water and using cold packs.

What should I do if the pain doesn't go away even after a week?

Get in touch with your dentist if the discomfort gets worse or lasts longer than a week because it can be a sign of complications like an infection.

What are the possible issues during recovery from a root canal?

Severe pain, significant swelling, pus discharge, fever, and an unpleasant aftertaste are indicators of problems.

Final Words

The root recovery time usually ranges from some days to a few weeks.

With the tips discussed above, you can speed up the recovery after a root canal.

Allow your body to relax by avoiding physically demanding activities. The gum tissue around the tooth roots involved in the procedure needs time to heal.

Also, follow-up appointments that your dentist in Ontario schedules are crucial in the days that follow your root canal.

They can keep an eye on your healing process and monitor your progress during these appointments.

If you are looking for a trusted dentist for your root canal, get the best treatment with KWC Dental.

All About Root Canal Recovery Time Patients Should Know in Ontario