How Long Will a Root Canal Hurt After The Procedure?

If you’ve ever wondered about the effects of a root canal, you’re not alone. While root canals are typically the best way to treat infected teeth, many patients have questions about the process, recovery, and how much pain they’ll experience as they heal after a root canal.

So in this guide from Grove City Smiles, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about what to expect, how to reduce root canal pain, how to know when you should give us a call for a follow-up, and much more. Let’s get into the details and demystify root canal pain, once and for all.

What’s Involved In A Root Canal? Explaining The Basics

First, it’s helpful to understand what exactly a root canal is and what it’s for. Root canals are used to treat infected teeth. Tooth infections happen when the outer layers of the tooth (enamel and dentin) are damaged by extensive tooth decay or dental trauma.

When this happens, the pulp inside the tooth is exposed to oral bacteria and becomes infected. The pulp is filled with the blood vessels and nerves that keep the tooth alive, so as the infection worsens, the tooth will eventually die if left untreated.

That’s where a root canal comes in. In this treatment, Dr. Pappas or one of our other dentists at Grove City Smiles will open up the tooth, clean out the damaged pulp, and fill the tooth with an inert material. Then, you’ll either get a same-day CEREC crown or a temporary filling/crown if you choose to get a lab-made crown.

Root canals are, by far, the most effective, reliable, and affordable way to treat infected teeth. Typically, the only other option is a tooth extraction, which is only necessary and recommended if your tooth is already too damaged to save it with a root canal.

Understanding The Effects Of Root Canals On Tooth Pain 

So, what can you expect from the root canal process? Relief. Contrary to popular belief, modern root canals are faster, safer, and more effective than ever before. Let’s get into the details.

Root canals are meant to relieve severe tooth pain

If you’ve been suffering from a toothache, you should experience significant pain relief after a root canal. Since bacteria are attacking and destroying the nerves inside your tooth, infected teeth typically cause severe tooth pain.

Once you get a root canal, the damaged pulp will be removed, and you’ll no longer suffer from a toothache. The surrounding tissues may be a little sensitive for a bit, but this is nothing compared to the pain of a chronic toothache.

Mild discomfort and sensitivity are normal after a root canal 

Wondering why root canals cause pain if the nerve is removed? It’s because the process of root canal therapy causes the nearby oral tissue to become slightly inflamed. The good news is that this is mild enough for most patients to get right back to their normal routines within a day of the procedure, and it usually lasts only a few days.

Common Root Canal Symptoms to Expect After Treatment 

• Mild tenderness and soreness near your treated tooth
• Jaw soreness from having your mouth open during the procedure
• Minor swelling or inflammation
• Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing and biting
• Sensitivity when eating very hot or cold foods

Overall, these symptoms are easy to deal with and tend to fade within just a couple of days. If you have any questions about keeping your smile healthy during your recovery period after visiting Grove City Smiles, feel free to give our team a call!

Your Guide To Root Canal Recovery Times

Root canals are fast and effective. You’ll usually get back to your normal routine within a day or two, and most symptoms of your treatment will be gone within a week. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from the recovery process:

First 24 hours

You may start to feel some pain or discomfort once your numbing shots wear off. You can get back to eating right away, but we recommend waiting until you’re no longer numb. It’s also best to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where you got your root canal for a few days. Sticking to very soft foods will help reduce discomfort.

1-3 days

You can usually go back to work or school the day after your procedure. Some tenderness and sensitivity are normal during this time. You should continue to take things easy and eat soft foods to reduce your discomfort.

3-7 days

During this period of time, you can get back to exercising, and you should feel much less pain and discomfort overall. You can add more foods back into your diet, but it’s still a good idea to chew very tough, sticky, and chewy foods on the opposite side of your mouth if you have a temporary filling or crown.

1-2 weeks

Your tooth should feel normal after about a week. You will also typically come back to our office for a follow-up within two weeks so that your dentist can check on your recovery progress and place your permanent lab-made crown if you did not opt for a same-day CEREC crown.

Recovery Tips After Root Canal: What You Should Know 

Recovering from a root canal is not very painful, especially compared to other invasive surgeries like tooth extractions. Still, the right aftercare for a root canal can help you speed up the process and feel more comfortable as you heal. 

Here are a few tips you should follow after you get your root canal from Dr. Pappas and the team at Grove City Smiles:

• Take medication as directed – When it comes to dental pain management, your first line of defense is to take any prescribed pain reliever, or an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or naproxen. You should also take all antibiotics prescribed by your dentist, as applicable, to make sure the infection is completely eliminated.
• Avoid exercise for a few days – Heavy exertion causes an increase in blood pressure and blood flow, which can worsen discomfort as you recover from your root canal.
• Elevate your head when you rest – Keeping your head above your heart while resting  can help reduce blood flow and pressure, making you more comfortable as you sleep.
• Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods – Since your jaw and mouth might be sore, it’s best to avoid tough, crunchy, hard, or chewy foods. Stick with soft foods for a week or so, and chew them on the opposite side of your mouth from the root canal. You should also avoid eating  super sticky and gummy foods until you get your permanent crown.
• Maintain your oral hygiene – You can brush your teeth normally right after your root canal, but be gentle near the treated tooth for a few days. If you use an electric toothbrush, temporarily switching to a manual toothbrush may help reduce any pain or tenderness.
• Don’t skip your follow-ups – Come to Grove City Smiles for any follow-ups or checkups scheduled by our team. This ensures that your mouth is healing properly and that you can get your permanent dental crown as soon as possible.

My Root Canal Hurts – Should I Call My Dentist?

A little bit of root canal inflammation, swelling, and pain is totally normal as your mouth heals from treatment. And most of the time, it’s no cause for concern. But still, root canals can sometimes fail, especially if you have complicated root anatomy or a very extensive infection in your tooth.

So, when should you call Dr. Pappas and the team at Grove City Smiles for help after a root canal? Look out for the following signs and symptoms of root canal failure:

• Pain that lasts 3-5 days or more and gets worse
• Significant swelling, redness, and inflammation around the tooth
• An abscess (bump) on the gums near the treated tooth
• A loose or damaged temporary filling/crown
• Persistent tooth sensitivity to pressure
• Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
• A fever or swelling of the lymph nodes

Root Canals – Your Path To A Pain-Free Smile In Grove City

If you’re struggling with a painful, inflamed, or damaged tooth, a root canal from Dr. Pappas and the team at Grove City Smiles are here to help. And far from being something to fear, root canal therapy actually offers powerful relief from tooth pain and discomfort.

So don't wait, and don’t let an untreated tooth infection put your oral health and whole-body health at risk. Give us a call at (614) 350-5300 or contact us online to book your consultation and take the first steps toward a healthy, pain-free, and confident smile.