Many people experience anxiety surrounding dental procedures, especially if they’ve never gone through them before. One procedure that many people experience severe anxiety around is a root canal. However, by understanding the process and knowing how to prepare, you can alleviate this fear and go into the procedure feeling confident.
At Mills River Family Dental, we understand that anxiety surrounding dental procedures can prevent you from following through. By helping you prepare for a root canal, we hope to make this process much smoother. If you have a root canal scheduled and you’re feeling anxious, keep reading to see how we recommend you prepare.
1. Ask Your Dentist Plenty of Questions
One of the easiest ways to prepare for a root canal is by talking to your dentist. If this is the first time you’ve ever had a root canal, you might not know what to expect or how to prepare. By asking your dentist plenty of questions, you can clear up any potential misconceptions and make the process feel much less daunting. If you have a question before the procedure, don’t be afraid to call your dentist to ask. Your dental team will have all of the information you need to feel confident going into the procedure.
2. Ask About Antibiotics
Antibiotics aren’t always required for your root canal, but it is best to discuss antibiotic options with your dentist prior to the procedure. Your dentist may choose to prescribe an antibiotic to ensure your root canal is as successful as possible. In addition to preventing potential infection, an antibiotic, this medication should make you feel more comfortable throughout your recovery. Prior to your root canal, it is best to discuss whether your dentist believes you will benefit from an antibiotic prescription.
3. Prepare Your Space for Recovery
The home recovery process is the hardest part of the entire root canal procedure. Once your root canal is completed, you won’t want to have to go home to prepare your space. Instead, take the time ahead of the procedure to prepare your home for your recovery. Ensure that you have plenty of pillows and blankets on your bed, and purchase root canal safe foods like potatoes, yogurt, and soups. By preparing for a root canal ahead of time, you can come home and focus on your recovery.
4. Have a Meal Before the Procedure
During a root canal, your dentist will numb the area surrounding the affected tooth, including the gums. After your root canal, eating and drinking may become much more difficult as this medication wears off. To save yourself from hunger following your root canal, have a meal before you go. It is important that you choose to eat foods that won’t upset your stomach as you recover from the procedure. This can include soups, oatmeal, smoothies, and other soft foods. You should also drink plenty of water before you go into the procedure.
5. Take Your Pain Medication
Your dentist may choose to prescribe pain medication before your root canal that you can take as you recover. However, if your dentist doesn’t prescribe a pain medication, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin should be strong enough to alleviate any discomfort you may experience. If you have a root canal scheduled, don’t be afraid to take some pain medications to make the recovery process much more comfortable. It can help you prevent swelling and unnecessary discomfort.
6. Enjoy Your Rest
When going into your root canal, you want to feel the best you possibly can. To ensure you feel your very best, make sure to get plenty of rest before and after your procedure. You’ll want to get a full night of rest the night before the root canal, as well as the night following. Don’t try to rush back into everyday activities too soon. Instead, enjoy this break you’ve been provided and get as much rest as possible to ensure your recovery goes smoothly.
7. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Products
Much like before and after other medical procedures, it is important to avoid consuming alcohol or using tobacco products after your root canal. Consuming these products can impact blood flow, slow down your immune system, and slow down the healing process. If you choose to use these products while in recovery, you may experience a much slower recovery or complications. To keep yourself safe and ensure a quick recovery, cut these out while you heal.
Turn to Mills River Family Dental for a Root Canal
If you’re feeling anxious before going into a root canal, working with a trustworthy dental team should help alleviate a lot of this fear. At Mills River Family Dental, our team of dentists and dental hygienists have years of experience, making us the perfect choice for your root canal procedure.
From dental cleanings to teeth whitening and everything in between, our team provides a wide variety of dental procedures to meet everyone’s needs. If you need to schedule a root canal or would like to speak to a member of our team about your concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.