Home Care Instructions After Root Canal Treatment

  • It is normal to feel some tenderness in the area for a few days up to two weeks after your root canal treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications(Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc.) It is important for you to follow the instructions on how to take these medications. Remember that narcotic medications, if prescribed, may make you drowsy, and caution should be exercised in operating dangerous machinery or driving a car after taking them.
  • Antibiotics, if prescribed, may cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems, therefore it is also recommended to take an over-the-counter probiotic and consider eating yogurt. If episodes of diarrhea occur more than three times a day for 72 hours, please contact our office and your primary care physician or urgent care doctor.
  • Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your root canal treatment has been completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days, contact our office.
  • The injection sight may be more sore.   You have received multiple injections to get the area numb and worked on.
  • Many times, after treatment flares ups are related to bruxism. Clinching and grinding of the teeth may cause the tooth to stay sore longer.  

Home Care Instructions After Apicoectomy Treatment

  • Use prescribed mouth wash (Peridex) on a Q-tip and dab around the sutures for the next week.
  • Rotate using the ice pack. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the next couple of hours.
  • We will make an appointment to remove sutures in 1 week from your surgery date.
  • You may eat and drink after procedure.

     Expect soreness, and some swelling. In some cases, the area can bruise. That is normal, and nothing to be alarmed about.   The apico can take longer to heal.   So tenderness, and pain up to a week or two after the procedure is normal.

     For pain, we recommend to take 600mg of Advil (ibuprofen) every 6-8 hours as needed. Advil is considered an NSAID and is in the aspirin family of pain relievers. If you have a history of allergy to these drugs, ulcers, or are already taking blood thinner type medications, you should talk with Dr. Cox or Dr. Lambat if you have not done so, before taking the Advil.

    If you have pain beyond the Advil, we will often prescribe a narcotic. Usually the pain medication is hydrocodone or oxycodone, which you can take between the doses of Advil. 

If you have any questions, please call our office at Bluegrass Endodontics Phone Number 859-277-1124