Root Canal

The mouth has regular contact with the outside environment, increasing its risk of infection. Located in Palm Bay, Florida, Smile Care Dentistry provides gentle root canals to minimize your anxiety while providing quality care. Swetha Reddy, DMD, gears her expertise towards patients with high anxiety. Call the office today or schedule an appointment through the online reservation system.

What is a root canal?

Bacteria live everywhere on our body and, as they do with any other tissue in the body, create a risk of infection to the teeth and gums. You can often circumvent infection through strong oral hygiene; however, sometimes accidents happen, or life gets the better of you. 

A root canal is one of the most commonly performed dental procedures; root canals save millions of teeth annually. Forgoing a root canal can be painful and increase your risk of additional morbidity. Seek help from your dental care provider immediately if you experience tooth pain and inflammation. 

What are signs you need a root canal?

It’s not always easy to determine healthy teeth or gums from infected tissue. There are some common signs and symptoms you can look out for, such as:

• Consistent, lingering tooth pain
• Increased temperature sensitivity
• A swollen and inflamed jaw or gums
• Tooth discoloration
• A damaged or loose tooth
• The presence of pus

Keeping an eye open for these common symptoms helps monitor your need for a root canal. If you are unsure, it’s always best to contact your dental care expert and schedule an appointment. 

Is a root canal painful?

Your provider applies local anesthesia before a root canal. This ensures maximum comfort during the procedure and feels no different from a typical dental check-up. Most patients report immediate relief following a root canal.

You may experience minimal discomfort and soreness for a few days after a root canal. If pain or intense discomfort persists, it’s best to contact your provider immediately.

How long is the recovery period following a root canal?

Downtime following a root canal is minimal. Most patients recover within days, while some take up to a week to fully recover. While the treated area heals, it’s advised to consume softer food and avoid chewing directly with the tooth. Additionally, most patients return to regular activities the next day. 

Is there special care following a root canal?

It’s important to continue brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash helps reduce the risk of infection or a failed root canal.

If you suspect a need for a root canal, call the Palm Bay, Florida, office or schedule an appointment through the online portal system.