How Long Does It Take To Heal From A Root Canal?

After your root canal treatment in Courtenay, your tooth and the tissues around it may be a bit tender or sore. This is nothing to worry about and usually resolves quite quickly. Your dentist will most likely recommend pain relievers that you can buy at the store to help keep you comfortable. As always, it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions for taking these medications.

How Long Until You Feel Back to Normal?

Most patients feel much better in a few days following their root canal. The soreness is usually minimal, and you should be able to resume your daily routine. However, the full healing time for the bone and other tissues that surround the tooth takes a little longer. This is a gradual process that happens inside your mouth, and you might not even notice it.

Why Does it Take Time to Fully Heal?

During a root canal procedure, the infected or damaged pulp (pulp is a soft tissue inside of your tooth) is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. After this procedure, the infection is gone, but your body needs to “heal” the area around the tooth. The healing process allows for your bone and gums to become stronger again.

Everyone’s mouth is different, and since they are different, it makes sense that healing time can vary. Some people will feel good after a couple of days, and some will take a couple of weeks to feel good again. It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions and to be gentle when brushing and flossing, and return if you need checkups. This helps you heal well and keeps your tooth healthy for a long time.

What Can You Do to Help the Healing Process?

There are a few simple things you can do to help your mouth heal faster and more comfortably after a root canal.

Eat Soft Foods: For the first few days, stick to soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing. Food such as smashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, or scrambled eggs to be eaten. This helps avoid putting too much pressure on your healing tooth.
Avoid Chewing on the Treated Tooth: Try to chew on the other side of your mouth as much as possible until your tooth feels completely normal. This prevents any unnecessary stress on the treated area.
Keep Your Mouth Clean: Continue to brush and floss gently around the treated tooth. Good oral hygiene is always important, especially during healing.
Don’t Skip Your Follow-Up Appointment: A dentist near you will want to see you for a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is healing as it should. This is a very important step!

When Will Your Tooth Get its Crown?

After a root canal, the tooth often becomes more brittle because it no longer has its living pulp. To protect it from breaking, your dentist will usually recommend placing a dental crown on top of the treated tooth. This crown acts like a cover or shield for your tooth, making it strong and durable. The crown placement generally happens a few weeks after the root canal, once the initial healing is complete. Your dentist will let you know the best time for this.

Are There Any Signs of Trouble During Healing?

While complications are rare, it’s good to know what to look for. If you experience severe pain that doesn’t go away, swelling, or a strange taste in your mouth, you should contact your dentist right away. These could be signs that something isn’t healing as it should, and your dentist can help address it.

What is the Long-Term Outlook After a Root Canal?

Most root canals are very successful and can save your natural tooth for many years. With proper care, including good oral hygiene and regular check-ups at your dental clinic, your root canal treated tooth can function just like your other teeth. It’s a great way to keep your smile healthy and avoid losing a tooth. Remember, your dentist is your partner in maintaining your oral health!