To ensure optimal healing and recovery after your root canal treatment, please follow these post-operative instructions carefully.
Immediate Care:
1. Numbness:
– The numbness from the local anaesthetic may last for several hours. Avoid chewing or consuming hot beverages until the numbness wears off to prevent injury to your tongue, lips, and cheeks.
2. Eating and Drinking:
– Eat soft foods and avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods for the first 24 hours.
– Avoid hot foods and drinks until the numbness has completely worn off.
– Chew on the opposite side of your mouth from where the root canal was performed.
Pain Management:
3. Discomfort:
– It is normal to experience some discomfort or mild pain after the procedure. This can last for a few days.
– Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen) or paracetamol (Panadol) as directed. Avoid aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
4. Swelling:
– Apply an ice pack to the outside of the treated area for 10-15 minutes at a time, with 20-minute breaks in between, during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
Oral Hygiene:
5. Brushing and Flossing:
– Continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual, but be gentle around the treated area.
– Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 240 millilitres of warm water) 2-3 times a day to keep the area clean and reduce discomfort.
Follow-Up Care:
6. Temporary Filling/Crown:
– If a temporary filling or crown was placed, avoid chewing on it as much as possible until your permanent restoration is in place.
– Contact our office if the temporary filling or crown comes out.
7. Permanent Restoration:
– It is essential to have a permanent filling or crown placed on the treated tooth to protect it from future damage. Schedule an appointment for this within the next few weeks.
Potential Complications:
8. Persistent Pain or Swelling:
– If you experience severe pain, swelling that does not improve, or any signs of infection (such as fever or drainage), contact our office immediately.
9. Bite Adjustment:
– If your bite feels uneven or you have difficulty chewing, contact our office. An adjustment may be necessary.
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