How painful are root canals?

It may be a common question, but the good news is, root canal therapy shouldn’t cause you discomfort thanks to modern techniques and advanced anesthesia. At Celebrate Dental & Braces, your care team will keep you comfortable throughout your entire procedure.

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Does a root canal hurt?

This may surprise you—but a root canal shouldn’t be more uncomfortable than similar common dental procedures.
To ensure your maximum comfort during the root canal treatment, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your affected tooth and gums. That way, you can expect minimal to no pain during treatment.
Truthfully, the decision to delay treatment is what can contribute to a more uncomfortable experience.
If you’re experiencing discomfort due to tooth decay, it’s best to contact your local Celebrate Dental & Braces
right away. This will help to mitigate potential complications and prevent tooth loss in the future.

The root canal procedure explained

Let’s take a look at a basic root canal treatment.
The steps below are just an overview— if you think you may need a root canal, it’s best to talk with your Celebrate Dental & Braces
dentist to go over a care plan customized to your unique smile.

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Examination and X-rays

Your Celebrate Dental & Braces dentist will examine the affected tooth and take X-rays to assess the extent of the tooth’s damage.

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Apply local anesthesia

Before starting the procedure, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area so you’re as comfortable as possible.

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Accessing the pulp

A small opening is created in the tooth to access the infected dental pulp. Don’t worry, you won’t feel it.

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Removing the infected pulp

Special dental instruments are used to carefully remove the infected pulp from the canal.

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Cleaning and shaping of the canals

The tooth’s root canals are thoroughly cleaned and shaped to prepare for filling.

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Filling the canals

The freshly cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal them and prevent reinfection.

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Restoring the tooth

A permanent filling will be placed to restore the tooth. In most cases, a dental crown is needed to provide additional strength and protection, and to secure your investment in saving your tooth.

Do people experience pain after a root canal?

While the thought of a root canal may seem intimidating, don’t worry. It’s a relatively simple process that doesn’t require a lengthy recovery time.
You may feel better immediately after the procedure, or you may experience mild discomfort as the anesthesia wears off, but it should only last a few days.
To mitigate any unnecessary pain, your dentist may prescribe you over-the-counter medication. You should be able to return to work and regular daily activities as you heal.

Pain levels after a root canal

Not severe
Don’t last long

Are there post-root canal restrictions?

Your root canal treatment is considered a basic dental procedure, but there are a few things to remember to help you heal—especially when it comes to eating.
After treatment, your mouth will be numb. To avoid burning your mouth or biting down too hard, it’s best to wait before indulging in your favorite foods again. Once sensation returns, you can ease back into eating and drinking like normal.
If your dentist or endodontist placed a temporary filling on your tooth, they’ll provide you with customized instructions to care for your tooth replacement until you’re able to return to your dentist for your final restoration.

POST ROOT CANAL

Do's & Don'ts

Do eat	Don’t eat
✓ Scrambled eggs	× Hot coffee or tea
✓ Popsicles	× Nuts or popcorn
✓ Yogurt	× Taffy or caramel
✓ Applesauce	× Steak
✓ Mashed potatoes	× Alcohol

Managing root canal pain

To make sure that your teeth are healing after the root canal procedure, your dentist will likely ask that you revisit the office. However, between dental checkups, it’s essential to care for your oral health at home with proper brushing and flossing.
To keep your teeth healthy and strong, our Celebrate Dental & Braces dentists also recommend avoiding smoking and consuming sugary and acidic foods.
Additionally, it’s important to stay up to date with your dental appointments so your dentist can take check-up x-rays, examine your mouth, decide what kind of professional cleaning you will need, and to catch any potential issues before they arise.
Early detection of oral health risks is essential to protecting your teeth.

After a root canal, avoid:

×SMOKING
×SUGAR

Best oral hygiene practices to reduce the need for a root canal

Proper oral hygiene can help you prevent future root canals and keep your oral health in top shape.

Best oral hygiene tips

Brush twice a day
Choose a fluoride toothpaste
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
Visit your dentist annually
Floss! Floss! Floss!
Skip sugary & acidic foods
Treat cavities to prevent deeper damage

See if a root canal is right for you

To learn more about how a root canal procedure could benefit your oral health, visit your Celebrate Dental & Braces dentist. They’ll be happy to work with you on a personalized care plan to strengthen the health of your smile.