For the first few days after your root canal procedure, your tooth may still be in some minimal pain, tenderness, and feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and can be managed over-the-counter pain medications.
If, after sensitivity and post-procedure pain has worn off and you bite down and your root canal tooth still hurts, the bite may be off. This can be corrected by your dentist.
Another possible cause of pain is a persistent infection or a root fracture. If a root canal is completed, but an infection still is present around the tooth then an infection may be the cause, especially if significant time has gone by and the area still hurts.
There are guidelines for post root canal care that will ensure your mouth heals properly:
- Do not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth wears off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue.
- Brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
- If the opening in your tooth was restored with a temporary filling material, it is not unusual for a thinlayer to wear off in-between appointments. However, if you think the entire filling has come out, contact your dentist.
Contact your dentist right away if you develop:
- A visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth;
- An allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction);
- A return of original symptoms; or
- Your bite feels uneven.
However, if your tooth still hurts several days after your procedure, contact your dentist to be sure that it is a natural side effect of your procedure and not something more serious. If your tooth still hurts after your root canal and you think there is something amiss, contact University Centre Dental Associates today.
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