7 Tips to Ease Root Canal Pain
If your toothache stems from an infected tooth root, you will probably need root canal therapy to save that tooth from extraction. Root canal therapy, or RCT, is performed to remove infection and diseased tissue from inside a tooth. The tooth is then filled with a substance that allows it to remain in place, even though it’s no longer alive.
Patients may have a need to reduce root canal pain before treatment and during recovery after RCT. For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of infected teeth, contact Staten Island Aesthetic & Implant Dentist in Staten Island, NY, today.
How to Reduce Discomfort at Home
Whether you need a root canal and are awaiting your appointment or you’ve completed RCT and are recovering, these seven tips will help you relieve pain at home.
- Rinse with warm, salty water. A natural antibacterial, salt can reduce inflammation. Put ½ teaspoon of salt in a coffee cup, add lukewarm water, and stir until salt is fully dissolved. With the water in your mouth, swish side to side, back and forth, and spit. Do this with all the water in the cup, and repeat several times per day. Rinsing can also dislodge any food particles from your mouth.
- Place a cold compress on your cheek to reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. Just be careful not to damage your skin by putting ice directly on it. A washcloth or folded paper towel between the ice and your skin should create a good buffer of protection for your face.
- Take NSAIDs per directions to reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Long-term, daily use of NSAIDs can cause health issues, but they are safe for short-term use, in healthy people.
- Avoid sugary, starchy foods and drinks.
- Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks. Extreme temperatures can light up your damaged tooth’s dying nerve, causing intense pain. Keep your diet room temperature until after RCT recovery.
- Eat soft foods until the pain subsides. Any time you have a toothache or are recovering from a dental/oral procedure, eating a soft diet is preferred. Remember to keep the foods room temperature, as well. Try soup, broth, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal.
- Try using eugenol, or oil of cloves. This homeopathic toothache remedy involves placing a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball, then placing the cotton on the affected tooth for about 20 minutes. You can opt for using dried clove, but oil is easier to work with.
We Can Help Relieve a Toothache
If you have a toothache, need a root canal, or want a second opinion on your diagnosis of needing RCT, call (718) 705-4434 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alex Hecht at our Staten Island, NY, dental office today. You can also message us through the website.
After a thorough examination of your oral health and x-rays, Dr. Hecht can determine whether RCT is necessary. He’ll answer all of your questions and can help with issues such as overcoming dental phobia, financing your dental procedure, and creating a gorgeous, healthy smile.
