Tips for Root Canal Aftercare & Recovery

So you’ve scheduled your root canal therapy? You are probably wondering what exactly you can do after your treatment for the quickest, easiest and most comfortable recovery. Well luckily for you, Dental Arts St. Pete Beach is here with root canal aftercare and recovery tips! We hope that your root canal treatment and recovery goes well.

Properly Take Prescriptions

If you are undergoing root canal treatment, chances are you know how painful a tooth infection can be! If your dentist prescribes any medications or antibiotics, it is important to take the prescription as directed. This can promote better healing and reduce your risk of additional complications.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Following your root canal therapy, it is extremely important to keep the area as clean as possible. Be careful yet thorough when brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth to avoid any discomfort while still removing any bacteria.

Watch What You Eat

When it comes to what you should eat and drink following a root canal, there are a few simple rules to follow. Your tooth will most likely be sensitive, so hot and cold foods may cause quite a bit of discomfort. You should also avoid foods that are crunchy, chewy, sticky or hard following your treatment.

Get a Dental Crown

At our St. Pete Beach dental office, we recommend every patient who receives a root canal also get a dental crown following their treatment. A dental crown can help protect your affected tooth from further decay, damage and infection along with improving the appearance, functionality, and strength of your tooth.

Do you have additional questions regarding your root canal treatment? Don’t hesitate to contact Dental Arts St. Pete Beach. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about root canal therapy or anything dentistry related honestly. We hope that you have a quick and speedy recovery following your root canal therapy!

Do You Have Good Dental Care Habits?

We’ve all heard how important dental care can be for achieving optimal oral health but what exactly are good dental care habits? Visiting your St. Pete beach dentist, of course, is an essential component but what about when you are at home?

The Importance of Brushing

When it comes to taking care of those pearly whites, brushing might just be the most important thing you can do. We recommend brushing a minimum of at least two times a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Always purchase a soft-bristled toothbrush and be sure to also brush lightly.

When it comes to replacing your toothbrush, we recommend you replace it every 3 months. If you notice worn bristles or have been sick, we recommend replacing your brush immediately. Again, be sure to always buy soft-bristled toothbrushes.

The Importance of Flossing

While brushing is extremely important, there are some areas your brush is going to miss. Like in between your teeth! Flossing allows you to properly clean the areas between your teeth where bacteria and plaque love to hang out. Find flossing difficult? Try out some of the newer floss picks which allow you to reach areas easier and can easily be disposed of.

Got braces? A Waterpik can be a great dental addition which allows you to properly clean your braces and teeth without having to deal with the hassle of flossing between brackets, wires, and bands.

The Importance of Scraping

Another part of good dental care habits is cleaning your tongue! When people think of cleaning their “smile” they often just think of their teeth, however, did you know bacteria also love to hang out on your tongue? These bacteria can lead to bad breath, plaque buildup, dental decay and even gum disease! We recommend investing in a tongue scraper which can be used to remove leftover debris and bacteria.

Wondering how well you are doing with your dental care habits? Contact Dental Arts in St. Pete Beach today! We’d be happy to evaluate your smile and overall oral health to determine if you could be taking better care of your smile!