5 ways to avoid tooth sensitivity after a filling or root canal

Your teeth may become sensitive after a filling or root canal.  This is normal and can be expected.  However, there are ways to reduce the amount of sensitivity or pain that you are feeling.  Usually these effects are temporary and will last for a few days.  However, some can be a little more long term.

Fillings and root canals are procedures that the dentist performs to repair a damaged tooth or teeth.  The tooth may have become weak and broken or tooth decay may have eroded the tooth which must now be repaired.  During these procedures, often the nerve ending can be exposed and this can cause some sensitivity to the area for a period of time usually lasting up to a couple of days, but can be much longer.

You can take some precautions to limit the amount of pain that you are feeling and to avoid aggravating the sore area.  The following five tips will be a good place to start as you plan for your recovery.

1.  Medication
If you are allowed to take medication, you may want to if you find that you have pain and or swelling.  If you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen; these are recommended for minor discomfort or pain.  These can help with the pain and additionally works as an anti inflammatory to reduce swelling.  However, this may not be an option if you are pregnant or are unable to take these medications.

2.  Avoid hot and cold drinks
Hot or cold drinks may also cause your teeth that have recently been repaired to feel sensitive.  This is normal, but can be very uncomfortable.  You will probably want to avoid both of these for a few days.  You may find that your teeth are not sensitive or are very sensitive so you will have to find out by trial and error what is acceptable and what to avoid.  The bottom line is that your teeth and your body can react differently than any one else so it is impossible to know what your teeth will do after they are repaired.

3.  Soft foods
You will want to avoid hard and sticky foods for the first few days.  These types of foods often require your teeth to exert more pressure which can cause you some pain.  Stick to foods that are soft or require little chewing.  Your dentist may be able to provide a list of foods for you to use and avoid.  If you have had work done on only one side of your mouth, you can avoid chewing on that side and it these foods on the other side.  You may find this to be an acceptable solution.

4.  Salt water rinses
Salt water rinses will help the healing process if you have soreness around the gum tissue.  You should rinse three times a day with warm salt water (put a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit) to reduce pain and swelling.  You should probably do this just after brushing to get the best effects.

5.  Dental hygiene
You will want to continue brushing and flossing your teeth as usual. Follow all our home care instructions exactly as directed. Always use fluoridated tartar control toothpaste. Success of treatment depends directly on the improvement and maintenance of your excellent oral hygiene.

In summary, your teeth may be sensitive after a root canal or filling.  However, you can minimize these effects with medication and proper care.  You may want to avoid hot, cold, hard and chewy foods for the first few days after you have your teeth repaired.  Additionally, you will want to maintain good oral hygiene.