If you keep up with pop culture, you could easily see a root canal as something scary. Many films and shows depict this treatment as uncomfortable, so much so that just enduring it is hard. All that said, are root canals painful like modern media suggests? The short (but accurate) answer to this question is a solid “No!” As for the longer one, let your local La Crosse dentist provide it for you below.
Root Canals are Pain-Free
Despite their depictions in media, root canals don’t actually hurt. The work they do to save your teeth is (or should be) painless and free of discomfort.
Note that a root canal’s goal is to relieve your tooth’s pain. By removing the infected pulp tissue, it rids you of the nerves that make your mouth ache. The treatment often follows this removal by placing a filling and crown, thus ensuring the treatment site doesn’t suffer more.
Perhaps more importantly, a dentist will always numb your tooth before doing a root canal. This measure stops you from feeling pain as the dental team drills into the treatment site. At most, you’ll only sense some pressure as the procedure proceeds.
Aches Only Occur After Treatment
If you do feel any pain, it’ll only occur after your root canal is over. (The treatment’s anesthetic will eventually wear off, after all.) This discomfort (when present) can persist for a while as you heal and recover.
Any lingering aches should fade within a few days, and the soreness itself shouldn’t be intense. That said, do contact your dentist if the pain continues (or worsens) after two or three days. You may be suffering treatment complications in those scenarios.
Managing Aches After a Root Canal
Of course, you can also manage your post-care aches as you wait for them to end. All you need to do is the following:
- Avoid Risky Foods: Don’t eat any hard or crunchy foods soon after your root canal. Given their texture, they could easily cause irritation and pain.
- Use Pain Relievers: In the days after your root canal, take over-the-counter pain medications as needed. Good examples include ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: If you care for your smile, your root canal pain will fade more quickly. You should thus try to brush twice daily and floss once daily, though be gentle with the treated tooth.
Root canals aren’t painful, so please don’t hesitate to get one if necessary. See your dental provider for the treatment that can save your tooth!
About the Practice
All Smiles Implants and Family Dental is based in La Crosse, WI. Led by Dr. Robert Sapner, our practice is always eager to make your smile the healthiest, strongest, and prettiest it can be. We thus provide a wide array of dental services, with each treatment tailored to your mouth’s needs. Among such offerings is even root canal therapy, which can save your natural teeth from infections. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (608)-668-6415.