Pain After a Root Canal? Try These Steps

Tooth decay does not always begin on the surface. The pulp inside your tooth can become infected and causing a toothache, which will require a root canal to properly treat. Most root canal procedures are completed without further complications, but you may notice a pain in your tooth and jaw in the days following the procedure. Here are the steps you should take if the pain persists.

Take Your Medication

Any surgical procedure is going to cause some pain after the fact. This is why many dentists prescribe painkillers after a surgery, so your body can heal without the process being too painful. Root canals, which remove infected tissue, also require you to take a round of antibiotics to ensure the infection does not come back. Make sure you keep up with your post-surgery medication.

Don’t Overuse Your Healing Tooth

In the days following your root canal, give your tooth time to heal by eating softer foods and chewing on the other side of your jaw. Wait until the tooth is less sensitive before using it, and don’t use your teeth for opening packages or trimming fingernails. Remember, teeth aren’t tools!

Attend Your Follow-Up Appointment

If your tooth is still hurting after a few days, schedule a follow-up appointment to let your dentist take another look. Post-surgery adjustments do occasionally have to be made to make your teeth feel completely comfortable again.

If your teeth are hurting, either because you’ve recently had a root canal or think you might need one, contact Baystate Dental to set up an appointment with our professional dentists today.