Numbness

Your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointments in which we've used an anesthetic. Avoid chewing anything until the numbness has completely worn off.

Routine care and precautionary measures 

Continue to brush normally.  Floss carefully each day, pulling the floss out from the side as you floss next to the new crown or filling. 

For the first few days after your root canal therapy, you may have some discomfort or sensitivity in the tooth that was treated, particularly if there was pain and infection prior to the treatment. To further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).

Taking care of your new, permanent crown or filling

Your permanent crown or filling should look natural and feel comfortable. Continue to brush and floss regularly to ensure that your restored tooth stays healthy. Please be sure to call our office if:

• Your bite feels uneven
• Your tooth feels "tight" or you have difficulty flossing around the tooth
• You have persistent pain
• You have any questions or concerns about your restored tooth

Medications 

If antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. It’s normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended.

Please do not hesitate to call our office hours if questions or concerns arise. You may reach us at (614) 262-9588.