What Should You Not Do Before A Root Canal?

If you have a root canal on your schedule, you need to know how to prepare for it. Knowing what to do and what you should not do before a root canal can ensure that the procedure goes smoothly and you have the most relaxing time possible. 

Check out our tips so that you will feel mentally and physically prepared for your root canal treatment.

What Is a Root Canal and Why Is Preparation So Important?

Root canal therapy is a way that an endodontist can save your teeth. This process involves making small openings to see inside a tooth. The endodontist uses instruments to gently remove inflamed infected tissue. This process requires exceptional skill to ensure the tooth has no infected matter left behind that could cause a secondary infection.

Root canal therapy does not use general anesthesia. Local anesthetic is used, such as when you get a filling done. Therefore, you can feel free to eat and drink normally before the procedure.

Recovery from a root canal only takes a few days and generally involves some mild soreness. 

What Should You Not Do Before a Root Canal?

When you go for a root canal, relax. Your endodontist has the ability to painlessly clean out your tooth and seal it to prevent later infections. The process takes just one or two endodontic visits. Plus, you will stop having pain in that tooth once your mouth recovers from the procedure.

To get the most out of your root canal procedure and avoid complications, make sure you follow these tips for what you should not do before a root canal.

1. Don’t Ignore Signs That You Need a Root Canal

A root canal removes bacteria from the canals deep inside a tooth. If you don’t have the tooth cleaned out and the bacteria removed, you’ll experience discomfort due to inflammation and/or infection. Extensive infection may cause bone loss around the tooth, compromising its integrity. This can lead to tooth loss. Know signs that you need a root canal and schedule a visit with an endodontist as soon as you suspect you need treatment. Common signs of an endodontic problem inside your tooth include:

• Pain or pressure in a tooth
• Lasting sensitivity in one tooth or area of the mouth
• A pimple on the gums
• Red or swollen gums in one area of the mouth
• A chip or crack on a tooth
• Severe pain

Endodontists are experts in managing pain in your teeth and can ensure that you have a painless root canal process. You don’t have to put off treatment anymore.

2. Don’t Delay Root Canal Treatment

If you need a root canal, understand that this option can let you avoid going to the dentist to pull the tooth out. However, you do have a time limit, especially if you need a root canal to correct infection inside the tooth from decay. Waiting too long allows a cavity to advance, sometimes to the point where the tooth is not savable. Once your endodontist tells you that you need a root canal, schedule it as soon as possible to avoid potential tooth loss.

3. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco Products

You already know that smoking or using other types of tobacco products can negatively impact your oral health. However, smoking inhibits your body’s natural ability to heal before you have a root canal. Your recovery could take much longer. Stop using tobacco products for at least a few days before you have your root canal.

4. Don’t Skip a Meal

Even if you feel nervous, avoid the temptation to skip a meal before your root canal. The local anesthesia will last for a few hours. Don’t try to eat anything with your mouth numb because you could unknowingly bite your mouth or tongue.

After your root canal therapy, you may need to wait several hours until your anesthesia wears off and you can eat again. Eating a meal before the procedure will ensure that you don’t get too hungry before that happens.

5. Don’t Hide Your Concerns

Most people feel nervous about going to the dentist or endodontist.  Endodontists are people too. They understand concerns and hesitation regarding the root canal procedure. Talk to the endodontist about your concerns. At Innovative Endodontics, we provide a comfortable menu with everything you need for a relaxing procedure. Our team is the best at what they do, which is why our procedures are quick and painless.

Also, if you have questions or concerns, ask them before the procedure starts. You don’t want to forget to ask later. Plus, when your questions are answered, or your fears are addressed, you may notice that your anxiety about the procedure diminishes.

Have a Painless Root Canal at Innovative Endodontics 

If you need a root canal, visit us at Innovative Endodontics. We make the process as simple, painless, and comfortable as possible. Every day, we have patients change their minds about root canals. Once they have this procedure with us, they realize the root canal is a painless way to save a tooth. Contact us at Innovative Endodontics and see for yourself that having a root canal is a positive way to help you keep a complete smile.