What can you do with the severe pain after root canal?

Table of Contents

1. How Much Pain Can You Expect After a Root Canal Treatment?
2. How Much Pain Is Too Much Pain?

Key Takeaways

• The primary goal of a root canal is to relieve pain caused by tooth decay and infection, not to cause it.
• It is common to experience some mild discomfort, soreness, and tenderness in the treated area as your body heals. Over-the-counter pain relief can typically manage this.
• Proper post-procedure care is crucial. Avoid chewing on the temporary crown and be gentle when brushing until the final restoration is placed.
• Severe pain that interferes with your daily life is not normal and indicates you should contact your dentist or endodontist immediately.
• Extreme pain can be a sign of complications, such as an infection that was not fully removed during the initial treatment.
• If you experience severe pain, your dentist may recommend endodontic retreatment or, in some cases, tooth extraction to resolve the issue.  

While severe pain after a root canal treatment isn't common, it is common to experience a bit of discomfort in the treated area. As your body heals, the area around the tooth might feel a bit sore and tender, explains Bupa. Some people also have a sore jaw after their root canals, since the procedure requires them to have their mouths open for a longer period of time.

If you have moderate pain, over-the-counter pain relief may help. Your dentist might prescribe you stronger pain relief, which you can take as directed. Just remember that prescription pain relief can make you drowsy and might interfere with your ability to work, drive or go about your day.

How you care for the tooth and the rest of your mouth after a root canal treatment can play a role in how much discomfort you experience. It's common for a dentist to place a temporary crown or restoration over the affected tooth after a root canal treatment. As these are not the final restoration, be careful about chewing on the treated tooth until the final restoration is placed. When it's fine to brush your teeth again, consider brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It's also a good idea to wait until any anesthetic the dentist gave you during the root canal treatment wears off before you resume eating and drinking. If you eat while your teeth and gums are still numb, you might accidentally bite your inner cheeks or tongue.

Although it is normal to expect some discomfort as your body heals after a root canal treatment, how do you know if you're experiencing too much pain? There are a few ways to tell. If the pain you're feeling is so severe that you can't go about your normal life, you should definitely contact your dentist. Sometimes, complications can develop after a root canal treatment. You might be feeling extreme pain because the treatment didn't fully remove the bacteria or source of the infection. Contact your dentist or endodontist immediately if you are feeling severe pain several days after your root canal treatment, even if the pain went away, still visit your dentist in a few days or the following week. Your dentist can examine your tooth and inform you of the next steps to get you feeling your best.

You might need endodontic retreatment to relieve the pain and preserve the tooth. Retreatment is enough to ease pain and discomfort in most cases, but there are instances when the best option is to remove the tooth. Your dentist can fully explain the pros and cons of each option and which one is the best choice for you.