By Arthur Kezian
In my last post, I answered the question of what a root canal is and why a dentist would suggest that you have one done. Now, I'd like to give a little guidance as to how to take care of yourself after root canal therapy and the postoperative instructions to follow.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Discomfort is sometimes experienced after a treatment visit because of irritation of the bone surrounding the tooth and may range from a mild discomfort in the area to an occasional episode of considerable pain. This discomfort will usually maximize in approximately 48-72 hours and then subside.
Avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days.
2. If a throbbing sensation occurs, keep your head elevated as much as possible and place extra pillows under your head when lying down.
Avoid any strenuous activity as much as possible.
3. If your tooth has been left open to aid in drainage of an infection, place cotton in your tooth as directed.
Do not leave the cotton in the tooth between meals.
4. If your gums swell, rinse the area every 1-2 hours with a solution of warm salt water prepared by adding a teaspoon of salt to an eight-ounce glass of warm water.
5. If your face swells, apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes every ½ hour.
6. If antibiotic medication has been prescribed, take it as indicated until you have finished ALL of the medication.
If you encounter any difficulty in breathing, a skin rash, or gastric disturbance, discontinue the medication and call the office.
* If medication for pain has been prescribed, take it as indicated. It is important to bear in mind that narcotic medications such as Codeine, Vicodin, Percodan and Demerol may make you drowsy. Therefore, caution should be exercised in operating any potentially dangerous machinery or an automobile.
In my last post, I answered the question of what a root canal is and why a dentist would suggest that you have one done. Now, I'd like to give a little guidance as to how to take care of yourself after root canal therapy and the postoperative instructions to follow.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Discomfort is sometimes experienced after a treatment visit because of irritation of the bone surrounding the tooth and may range from a mild discomfort in the area to an occasional episode of considerable pain. This discomfort will usually maximize in approximately 48-72 hours and then subside.
Avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days.
2. If a throbbing sensation occurs, keep your head elevated as much as possible and place extra pillows under your head when lying down.
Avoid any strenuous activity as much as possible.
3. If your tooth has been left open to aid in drainage of an infection, place cotton in your tooth as directed.
Do not leave the cotton in the tooth between meals.
4. If your gums swell, rinse the area every 1-2 hours with a solution of warm salt water prepared by adding a teaspoon of salt to an eight-ounce glass of warm water.
5. If your face swells, apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes every ½ hour.
6. If antibiotic medication has been prescribed, take it as indicated until you have finished ALL of the medication.
If you encounter any difficulty in breathing, a skin rash, or gastric disturbance, discontinue the medication and call the office.
* If medication for pain has been prescribed, take it as indicated. It is important to bear in mind that narcotic medications such as Codeine, Vicodin, Percodan and Demerol may make you drowsy. Therefore, caution should be exercised in operating any potentially dangerous machinery or an automobile.
-N.S.
