Off topic - root canal : I had a root canal on Thursday... - NRAS

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Off topic - root canal

Boxerlady profile image
24 Replies

I had a root canal on Thursday. Went well, dentist was pleased that there was no sign of infection so didn't advise antibiotics 🥳 Just wondering how people got on in the few days following this treatment 🤔 Getting throbbing pain in the early hours and some swelling. Taking ibuprofen and paracetamol regularly.

Dentist was very good during procedure and talked me through it beforehand but didn't say anything about what might happen immediately afterwards other than saying to take "what you would usually take for a headache if necessary". As I don't usually look for possible problems, I've only researched a bit now; think that this is probably pretty normal but would appreciate some personal experiences.

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Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady
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24 Replies
3LittleBirds2 profile image
3LittleBirds2

Hi, Glad your root canal treatment went well. I’ve had two re-re canals done recently on some 20 year old crowns not pleasant but saved the teeth. It’s all perfectly normal to get some throbbing and aching for a few days afterwards but I can’t remember if I had some swelling I just remember treating the area gently for a few days. You will know signs of infection and then as I’m sure you will, contact your Dentist for further advice. Best wishes and I’m sure it will soon settle.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply to3LittleBirds2

Thanks. I was well numbed-up for the procedure but lots of rasping and tugging going on so I guess that it's natural to have some inflammation and soreness afterwards. Just look like a chipmunk on one side! 😅

3LittleBirds2 profile image
3LittleBirds2 in reply toBoxerlady

Yes, it is. Know I did ring the dentist about 5 days after having the first one day as I as still feeling uncomfortable in that area , he said it was perfectly normal and can take a little while to settle.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply to3LittleBirds2

Thanks for that - very reassuring 😊

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

I've had 2 done but never any swelling or pain. The worst thing is the temporary cap dressing put over until the real one goes in and the 4/5 visits to clean the root and redress as parking costs a fortune. If I were you I'd ring the dentist or get some advice from your local emergency dental cover team. But you could also try Corsodil mouth wash and toothpaste for a few days and it may just be a bit of swollen gum. Or is it the tooth next to the one and you've caught a bit of food in it? I had dreadful toothache when my dentist did X-rays etc it turned out to be a bit of popcorn under gum line. That really hurt the pocket. I hope it resolves soon. x

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply tomedway-lady

The tooth itself feels ok, just get some throbbing up in the gum above it. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen help - I can feel when they wear off! I have very sensitive teeth anyway so might be feeling it more than some others would. Cheek is swollen; it came up overnight so might try sleeping up on extra pillows tonight. NHS website indicates that it's all pretty common for the first few days. Unless it gets much worse, I'll probably leave it until Monday and then ring the dentist if necessary.

J1707- profile image
J1707-

I was exactly the same as you . After a few days couldn’t even tell I had them gone . I’ve had 3 one a double as unexpectedly found out there were 2 under one tooth . I’ve always been different 😂

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toJ1707-

Thanks - reassuring to know that it's "normal" 😁

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

I had no problems with the root canal but I do have quite sensitive teeth and can recommend using Sensodyne Rapid Relief toothpaste and my other stand by is a warm salt rinse. My dentist said I can rub the Rapid Relief into the tooth / gum in between cleanings and that works for me. Hopefully things will settle down for you soon.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toFruitandnutcase

Yes, I use Sensodyne and use that trick too. They're better than they used to be so try to hold on to that 😅

Green_frog profile image
Green_frog

I had a few root canals done. My recent treatment was complicated but my dentist is a very clever lady and she did magic. I had swollen cheek and felt uncomfortable but no pain as there is no nerve there. Inflammation went away within few days but then the healing of infection started and as RA diagnosed I felt this pretty intense. What I use is herbal toothpaste with cloves, oregano etc.. Stoped using fluor ones. I did oil pulling with coconut oil but caster oil is also fantastic. Great are cloves for all gum infections, toothaches, mouth ulcers etc. it has a numbing effect and antibacterial. 3-4 cloves in a cold water bring to the boil and let it simmer for 5 mins under cover. It can be used the same way as the oil. Make sure not to drink it as if there are any bacteria etc you perhaps done want to swallow it.

Good luck 👍🏻

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

It is worth remembering that there are genetic variations in how much pain people feel from dental procedures. I went to a neuroscience conference on pain and I was amazed at how much research is going on in this area. Same with osteoarthritis.

The reason that some people feel pain and others don't can be genetic. So don't worry if you feel pain when others don't, blame your parents!

Numptybrain profile image
Numptybrain

When I had mine done I had pain exactly the same as yours but it calmed down after a few days, I’ve now had mine removed as unfortunately they failed 4 years in so now have false teeth my two front ones.

Take care

Wendy xx

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toNumptybrain

Thanks, nice to know that it's probably "normal" 😅 The swelling quite dramatic today and it was very painful at 5 am so I got up at 5.30 😱 I tried to sleep on extra pillows but obviously wasn't upright enough. Have started alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen - so a dose every 2 hours or so - and that seems to be helping.

Retirednhs profile image
Retirednhs

Hi l would suggest you ring them dentist and tell him/her what you are experiencing and see what they say . You may have developed an infection or itvmay be bruising caused by the surgery but that often happens so discuss it and they can advise on the phone or give you an appointment to check it. Hope you soon feel better.

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toRetirednhs

Thank you; yes, I'm planning to ring tomorrow unless it's much better as I don't want to let it drag on if I need antibiotics.

Retirednhs profile image
Retirednhs in reply toBoxerlady

Pleased to hear that

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toRetirednhs

Update - just had some pus (yuk!) come out of the gum so definitely have got an infection 😞 I've just rung 111 on the off chance that I can get some antibiotics before I ring the dentist in the morning; waiting for a callback from a dental nurse. One good thing is that it's relieved the pressure so it's slightly less sore now. Good that I got advice from the rheumatology nurse to stop my Methotrexate and Sulphasalazine and only restart them if I didn't need antibiotics. I did take a dose of Sulphasalzine when it all seemed ok but stopped when the swelling started and haven't resumed Methotrexate.

Retirednhs profile image
Retirednhs in reply toBoxerlady

That's good for you to know it is something requiring treatment . We have a weekend emergency GP surgery in our area who we could go to do you have this if so they may be able to see you and give you the appropriate meds . Hope so

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toRetirednhs

Just spoke to a pharmacy that's open - apparently only a dentist can prescribe antibiotics for a dental problem 😏 Good news is that ours opens at 8.30 am tomorrow and now that it's burst, the pressure and pain have gone so hopefully I'll get a bit more sleep tonight 🤞

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady

111 dental nurse rang me and confirmed that only a dentist can prescribe antibiotics for dental issues - different licence apparently.Gave me advice to self-manage until I can ring my dentist in the morning. Said that she can make an appointment with a (different) local dentist so to ring back if mine can't see me tomorrow.

Retirednhs profile image
Retirednhs in reply toBoxerlady

You are doing really well at least you know now you can get hold of your dentist early tomorrow and get some treatment from the right place .l hope all goes well for you now . We have heay rain and winds down here in Devon l hope it's better for you wherever are take some painkillers and jeep warm

Intheend profile image
Intheend

Hope that by now you have been able get hold of your dentist to get antibiotics…and that you are coping pain wise

Boxerlady profile image
Boxerlady in reply toIntheend

Thanks. The pain is more manageable now that it's burst. I even got some sleep last night 😅 Keeping up with the painkillers helps too. I've got an appointment with the dentist for tomorrow morning and am happy to wait until then to see my own dentist - she doesn't work on Mondays. The receptionist said to ring if things get worse during the day and they'll squeeze me in with someone else so I've got options if things deteriorate.

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