Have you recently had a root canal?
This means you are hoping for painless chewing.
But surprisingly, a sharp pain comes up just when you attempt to chew or bite something. This pain after a root canal is not a rare occurrence. Rather, it is very common to experience some pain after this dental procedure.
But should you ignore this pain completely?
Absolutely, no.
While mild pain is common, excruciating pain is not.
In this blog, you will get more information on why biting hurts after a root canal so you can be more adept at managing the pain.
What Can Cause the Biting Pain?
There can be several reasons behind the biting pain after a root canal procedure.
- Persistent Infection
Even though a root canal is done to remove the infections from the damaged tooth, in some rare cases, it happens that bacteria remain in the root canal system or in the adjacent tooth. This can lead to pain and discomfort during biting.
- High Restoration
After the process of a root canal, a type of restoration is placed over the treated tooth, preferably a dental crown. At times, it happens that your dentist places the crown too high. This elevated position interferes with the natural biting motion of the teeth and causes unbearable pain when you attempt to bite something.
- Inflammation of the Surrounding Tissue
When you get a root canal treatment in Charlotte, the surrounding teeth and tissues of the treated tooth also get inflamed and become sensitive. This can result in pain and discomfort while biting something.
- Cracked Tooth
Due to some prior reasons or because of the extensive root canal procedure, the tooth may develop a fracture or crack. When you try to bite down, this fracture creates excess pressure on the cracked line and the surrounding tissue.
How to Manage the Biting Pain After a Root Canal?
It is very important to know how you can manage the biting pain for a successful recovery after a root canal procedure.
- Take Pain Relievers
For unbearable pain, you can take over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen. This will help in reducing inflammation and pain. However, you should do this only after consulting with your dentist.
- Adjustment of the Restoration
If a higher restoration is the cause of your pain, visit your dentist at the earliest. Your dentist can adjust the restoration and relieve the excess pressure on the treated tooth. This might require minor polishing of the restoration.
- Assessing the Infection
If the infection continues, it is important to assess it with professional guidance and see what is the actual problem. For the time being, try using a cold compress to reduce the pain and swelling.
- Monitoring the Fracture
If you suspect a fracture in the tooth, the safest option is to visit your dentist. The dentist will do some tests and assess if the fracture is something to worry about.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
A good oral care routine can never go wrong. Regular brushing and flossing is the ultimate solution for all your dental problems. However, in this scenario, remember to brush gently and put minimal pressure on and around the treated tooth.
At first glance, this biting pain may seem like a big mystery. But with the right guidance and professional assistance, you can manage this pain very easily.
Do you want more information on this? Contact our dental office today and book an appointment.