When most people hear the term “root canal,” they may envision something that causes significant pain. The good news is that the root canal removes the source of the pain, so the discomfort you have after the procedure is the post-operative pain that accompanies the healing process. There are several important ways you can relieve the pain following a root canal treatment.
Follow Your Endodontist’s Post-Op Instructions
The most important way to alleviate the pain following any procedure is to follow your doctor’s specific instructions as closely as possible. Because your endodontist knows the ins and outs of your tooth and its specific risk for inflammation and infection after the procedure, they can give you the best prediction of what to expect. In their experience of treating hundreds of patients every year, they know which procedures cause more pain than others do. Your doctor will give you specific advice on which medications to take when.
These instructions will also include directives regarding your activity level following a procedure and the need for follow-up care. Make sure to pay close attention and follow these instructions to the letter.
Prescription Medications
In some cases, your endodontist will prescribe medications for management of post-operative infections or pain. You must take oral antibiotic medications as directed until they are all gone to achieve the optimal effect and prevent dangerous infections.
Prescription medications for pain management are less common as the success of over-the-counter pain relievers has improved. If your endodontist does prescribe pain medication, make sure you only take it as directed, keep it out of the reach of children, and never share it with others.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Your endodontist will likely give you a recommendation for pain management with over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Research studies show that an alternating treatment with these over-the-counter medications produces as much pain relief as prescription narcotic medications.
The key is taking the medications on the recommended schedule. We recommend taking your first dosage while the treated tooth is still numb from the dental procedure. This is because it is much easier to prevent pain before it starts than reduce it after it is already full-blown. For this reason, we recommend taking the over-the-counter medications on a schedule for the first few days, whether you have pain or not. It is important to stay ahead of your discomfort.
Natural Remedies
We have many patients who prefer to avoid both prescription and over-the-counter medications if they can. When this is the case, there are some natural remedies that can provide pain relief. Most post-operative pain is the result of inflammation, so the natural remedies that will provide the most benefit are those that fight inflammation.
Some natural foods and spices carry anti-inflammatory properties. If you already have a naturopath that you work with, they can recommend specific anti-inflammatory supplements for pain relief.
Two that have great support in scientific research are activated turmeric and tart cherry. You can purchase tart cherry juice in most stores. Be careful that you don’t sip on it throughout the day as it’s high in sugar and has a very acidic pH, which makes it bad for your teeth.
When using turmeric as an anti-inflammatory supplement, you must use activated turmeric. Your body will not absorb plain turmeric powder. If you make a homemade recipe of golden milk or turmeric paste, make sure it contains black pepper. If it does not, your body will not absorb it.
Immune Health
Our final recommendation also falls under the category of naturally fighting inflammation. The human body fights inflammation all the time through the immune system, which is like your defense army, and it will fight best when it can focus on one battle at a time.
For this reason, patients with multiple health problems tend to have more inflammation after procedures and more discomfort. Anyone undergoing a medical procedure, including root canal treatments, should work to be as healthy as possible before and after the procedure. For diabetic patients, this means strictly controlling blood sugar. For everyone, it means drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, avoiding sugar, and getting good sleep and exercise.
The healthier you are, the easier it is for your body’s immune system to fight the inflammation that causes post-op pain.
Have Questions About Root Canal Procedures? Contact Rockland Dental Specialists Today
Get in touch with Rockland Dental Specialists today to schedule a consultation with our dental experts. We perform a wide variety of procedures requiring management of post-op pain, and our doctors can help you understand the best way for you to minimize your discomfort after any procedure. Call us at (845) 259-2500 or complete our online contact form today!
