Among various dental works available today, a root canal is one option you can opt for to help repair severely infected teeth.
As you may or may not be aware, your teeth are filled with soft tissues right at the center of your bones. Called as pulps, these tissues form the dentin and protect the nerves in your teeth. If you get tooth decay and it causes your tooth to become damaged, the pulp inside becomes infected as well. This is where a root canal procedure comes into the picture.
This dental treatment involves removing the infected nerve and pulp, cleaning the area to prevent further infection, and restoring the tooth using a filling or crown. However, the problem is that some people are afraid to get a root canal due to its pain-inducing reputation.
Fret not! In this article, we will share four practical steps to prepare for a root canal procedure with your dentist in Chattanooga:
1. Know what to expect with dental questions
More often than not, the fear of dental procedures springs from the lack of information. To ease your worry and anxiety, the best step is to ask your dentist about what the procedure entails and what to expect before and after. You’ll be surprised at what your dentist will tell you because the root canal today isn’t as painful as it was in the past! They’ll provide you with a few recommendations on preparing for the said procedure and dealing with the minimal pain after that.
2. Stay as healthy as possible
Nothing beats staying as healthy as possible before getting the actual dental procedure. The healthier you are, the smoother the procedure will be, and the faster you will recover. There are many ways to boost your health, such as having a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress, and living a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to follow all these prior to the actual appointment.
3. Take the prescribed medication
It’s worth knowing that most dentists prescribe a round of antibiotics before the dental procedure. Taking these medicines will eliminate any extra bacteria in your mouth that might compromise the procedure. However, be sure to take these medications based on your dentist’s prescription or advice to avoid any complication.
4. Have lots of ice packs handy
When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of the dental procedure, preparation is the key. To be ready for a possible pain, what better way to do so than have lots of ice packs handy and ready? If you encounter some pain after, you can simply apply the packs on your cheeks to reduce the swelling and alleviate your condition.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know what to do to prepare for a root canal procedure. As discussed above, all it takes is to ask dental questions, stay healthy, take prescribed medicines, and prepare ice packs. With all these vital preparation tips, you’ll have a seamless procedure, be able to deal with the aftermath with minimal to no pain, and have a faster recovery period.
Are you looking for a dentist near you to get a root canal? You’ve come to the right place, as we provide the best dental services such as general, restorative, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry. If you’re looking for a family dentist in Chattanooga, TN, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!