When you first hear that you need to have a root canal, you will most likely begin to fear the worst. After all, the procedure has developed quite a bad rap for itself over the years. However, as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions and adequately prepare for your root canal, the entire event should run fairly smoothly.
To prepare for your root canal, you will need to do the following five things:
1) Take your antibiotics
Before your root canal, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to minimize your risk of infection. Aside from reducing your risk of infection, these antibiotics will also help you to deal with any pain or swelling that may occur as a result of your procedure. As with all antibiotics, you will need to ensure that you complete the course to avoid resistance and completely clear out any infections.
2) Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least 24 hours before your treatment
When you go in for your root canal, the dentist will inject your gum with a local anesthetic to enable them to work on you without causing any major discomfort. Alcohol and tobacco contain toxins and compounds which may react with the anesthetic and result in adverse effects. To prevent this, you should avoid both of these products for at least 24 hours before your procedure.
3) Eat something
Ensure that you eat a full meal shortly before your procedure. The local anesthetic that your dentist will inject you with will numb your jaw for a few hours, making it pretty much impossible for you to eat immediately after your root canal. You are also likely to experience some tooth sensitivity immediately after your procedure, which will make it tough to chew.
4) Get enough sleep
To make it as easy as possible for your body to recover from your root canal treatment, you will want to get plenty of sleep both before and after your procedure. Aim to get at least eight hours each night.
5) Talk to your dentist
Have a sit down with your dentist a few days before the procedure in order to discuss any concerns you might have. Ensure you ask questions about what the procedure will entail, any medications you should take and what your treatment plan should look like. In addition, you should inform the doctor about any underlying medical problems you might have so they can advise you accordingly.
In Closing
Root canals can certainly seem a little frightening at first. However, by following the advice contained in this article, you can ensure that your procedure is as smooth and pain-free as possible.
Schedule your root canal appointment today. Our practice serves the Los Angeles metro area, including Torrance, Marina del Rey, South Bay, Redondo Beach, and surrounding cities.
