A root canal is far less stressful than most patients tend to expect. Still, knowing how to prepare for a root canal remains an important part of treatment. Each treatment will have its own requirements, and your dentist will give you tailored instructions for your case. However, we put together some of the common ways dentists recommend for the time leading up to your procedure.

How to Prepare for a Root Canal

Pause Alcohol and Tobacco

Both of these habits can impede healing and overall health. Since a root canal is often already the site of an infection, it is a good idea to minimize anything that can worsen the situation. Excessive alcohol consumption and even mild tobacco use can both weaken the immune system and increase the body’s inflammatory responses.

Ideally, pause intake of alcohol 24 hours before your procedure. For tobacco, it is best to have at least 7 to 14 days of being smoke-free before any type of procedure.

Ask Away and Clarify

Physical preparation is important, but mental preparation is not to be underestimated. One of the main reasons people put off having dental treatment is due to anxiety about their procedure. In reality, most dental procedures are painless and quick. But the worry leading up to them can make them out to be ominous.

Understanding tends to banish fears. So we encourage patients to ask any questions they have to help them prepare for a root canal. Some things to ask about include:

• What will it feel like?
• How long will it take?
• Will I feel better after?
• What can I eat after my root canal?
• Or anything else that comes to mind!

Rest Up (Both Before & After)

Sleep is the body’s own little miracle. Before your root canal, try getting a full night of rest. A well-rested mind is one that tends to stress less and can remain more at least. Likewise, once your procedure is finished, having another full night’s rest will do you good. Much of the body’s healing mechanism functions most at night. So recovery will speed up when you give your brain and body enough sleep time.

Eat Beforehand

Following your root canal, your mouth will still be numb for a few hours. Chewing, while technically possible, tends to prove a difficult task until the numbness fades. Additionally, some patients may have some soreness around the treated tooth afterward. Together, these can make eating after your procedure not to most appealing idea.

Instead, we recommend getting a full mean in about two hours before your procedure. This should keep you full (enough) until the numbness has worn off afterward. But also remember to brush your teeth and floss before coming in for your procedure. The fewer bits of food in your mouth during a root canal, the better.

Prep Your Medication

After a root canal, some minor swelling and soreness are normal. Significant pain is rare, but even mild soreness can be a distraction if you have to work or go about your day.

So we recommend having some ibuprofen or similar OTC painkiller at hand and ready. Of course, you can always go out and buy some easily after your procedure. But it is better to have it ready just in case.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

A root canal allows patients to experience rapid symptom relief while also protecting the health of their smile. Rather than putting off this vital procedure, it is better to know how to prepare for a root canal. When the time comes now, you will know what to do and can have a stress-free experience the next time you visit your dentist in Chino.