Did you know that approximately 26% of American adults have untreated cavities, and nearly 46% of adults have symptoms of gum disease? Untreated cavities lead to permanent tooth loss, leading to speaking and eating problems. Root canal treatments can prevent tooth loss and restore your dental health.

If you need a root canal, you're likely feeling nervous about the procedure. While root canals sound intimidating, they're a necessary part of your dental care, and the procedure is easier than you think.

Finding an experienced Dentist in Largo, FL, and learning more about what a root canal involves will put your mind at ease.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about preparing for a root canal.

What Is a Root Canal?

The first step to preparing for a root canal is to get a better understanding of the procedure.

A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the damaged or diseased pulp from the center of your tooth. Pulp is tissue in the center of your tooth, which can become infected with severe tooth decay.

Filling vs. Root Canal

Fillings are for minor cavities and infections that haven't reached the pulp of your tooth. On the other hand, root canals are recommended when the infection affects the pulp.

When Do You Need a Root Canal?

Root canal procedures are necessary when bacteria invade the pulp of the tooth. Typically this occurs when you have untreated tooth cavities or a cracked tooth due to an injury.

Sometimes, you may not realize you have a tooth infection. However, there are specific signs and symptoms that you may need a root canal, which include:

• Ongoing tooth pain
• Tooth discoloration
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Swollen gums
• Swollen jaw
• Loose tooth
• Pain while eating

How to Prepare for a Root Canal

Before your procedure, your dentist will answer any questions, review your overall dental health, and take X-rays. The dental staff will also review the total root canal cost and address your insurance overage or other payment options.

You'll also discuss the best type of anesthesia for your particular situation. Most of the time, local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth and gum area.

However, some people need additional sedation to help them relax, like nitrous oxide or IV sedation. Your dentist will discuss these options with you.

In most cases, you'll receive instructions to follow before your appointment, which include the following:

Take Your Prescribed Medications

First, you'll need to take all your medications as prescribed. Some people are given anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics to take beforehand if there is a severe infection.

Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol 24 Hours Before the Procedure

Since tobacco products can interfere with your body's healing process, you'll be advised to stop smoking a few days before your procedure.

In addition, alcohol can affect blood clotting and dry out your mouth.

Eat a Healthy Meal Before Your Appointment 

It's essential to eat a healthy meal a few hours before your appointment. This is because you'll receive local anesthesia, which numbs your mouth. Anesthesia can take several hours to wear off, making it difficult to eat immediately afterward.

Root canals can also take from 30 minutes to an hour and a half to complete, depending on the amount of damage and infection in your tooth. Having a nutritious meal will make you feel more comfortable throughout the procedure.

Buy Soft Foods

Immediately after your procedure, you may have some mild soreness and sensitivity. Due to this, it's best to eat soft food for your first few meals, such as:

• Pudding
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Smoothies
• Milkshakes

Once you're feeling better, you can eat other foods like eggs, pancakes, pasta, bananas, and oatmeal. Most people can eat normally within a day or two after the procedure, but you'll need to avoid crunchy or hard foods like candy or nuts.

Hard and crunchy foods can cause discomfort and increase inflammation, which slows your healing. You'll also need to avoid using straws or drinking hot beverages immediately after your procedure.

Sucking on straws can cause blood clots that form during healing to dislodge, leading to a painful condition known as a dry socket.

What to Expect During a Root Canal

Your dentist will first use local anesthesia to numb your infected tooth and the surrounding gum area. If necessary, you'll also receive additional sedation to help you relax.

First, your dentist will isolate your tooth with a rubber apparatus that keeps it dry throughout the procedure. Next, they'll make a small hole in the crown or the part of the tooth above the gums. 

This hole allows your dentist to access the pulp of the tooth.

Special dental instruments remove the pulp, and then the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for the filling. The filling is a rubbery, flexible dental material known as gutta-percha.

Most of the time, you'll need a dental crown to place over the tooth. A dental crown restores your tooth's natural shape and appearance. Due to this, you'll usually get a temporary filling to protect infection from reoccurring while you wait for the crown to be made.

Once your crown is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary filling to place the permanent filling and the crown.

What to Expect After a Root Canal

You may notice mild sensitivity and discomfort for the first few days after the procedure. These are normal symptoms, and you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to manage any discomfort.

If you experience severe pain, swelling, or redness in your gums, you'll need to call your dentist immediately for an examination.

Preparing for Root Canals

Now that you know more about preparing for root canals, you'll feel much more comfortable during your procedure.

If you're looking for an experienced dentist in Largo, FL, you can turn to Bardmoor Family Dental for all your dental care needs. We offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, and procedures like root canals, extractions, and bone grafts.

Our experienced staff provides friendly and compassionate care and will ensure you feel comfortable during your visit. Make sure you contact us today to schedule an appointment!