Modern techniques may be able to make nerve removal a very pleasant experience, but that doesn't mean they will be completely painless. You may experience swelling and discomfort for a few days after the procedure. While some people may be able to do this without the use of pain relief products or techniques, others find it much easier with a little help. When your dentist recommends root canal treatment, it's not uncommon to feel extremely anxious. You may have heard some widespread misinformation about the treatment process: that it is painful, leads to health problems, or requires a long and uncomfortable recovery period. However, this misinformation is mostly false. Root canal treatment has a very high success rate and a relatively low level of associated pain or discomfort. In cases where your tooth was already painful, you will likely feel less pain after treatment, which will go away after a few days. Root canal therapy is a common procedure used to treat dental conditions involving decay or infection of the sensitive inner pulp of a tooth. Root canal treatment is almost always a better and far less painful alternative to tooth extraction, especially if the tooth is needed for cosmetic or chewing purposes. ¹ In this article, we'll explain what to expect after root canal treatment, how to manage any short-term discomfort you may experience during recovery, and how to keep your current tooth healthy for a lifetime. **Is denervation painful?** While it is common knowledge that root canal treatment is excruciating, this is wrong, modern dentistry and anesthetics have made the procedure almost completely painless. In fact, most people find pain relief following a nerve extraction due to the removal of damaged, inflamed, or infected dental pulp. During the root canal procedure, your dentist or endodontist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the area around the tooth, so you won't feel anything during the procedure. After the procedure, it is normal to feel increased sensitivity or discomfort in the area for a few days, but the pain is usually relieved with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. **Will I have pain or discomfort following the nerve taping?** As with any operation or surgery, it is normal to feel tenderness or pain following the denervation. You may feel mild discomfort for an hour or two after the local anesthesia wears off. You may also experience slight pain in your jaw due to keeping your mouth open for a long time during the procedure. Pain after nerve extraction is usually mild and lasts only a few days. This is a normal and manageable consequence. Most people will experience no pain at all, and studies show that only 3-6% of people who undergo denervation experience severe pain in the days following the procedure. Ways to relieve pain after denervation Any root canal pain should subside fairly quickly, but if after two or three days of treatment, sudden, severe pain or worse pain, visible swelling, or if a temporary filling comes out, see your dentist right away. In rare cases, teeth with more severe infection may require a second internal cleaning to remove the remaining damaged pulp. ### Height Elevating the head as much as possible after the operation is very useful and important to minimize pain and discomfort. Lying down causes blood to rush to the wound area, which can exacerbate pain and swelling, so sit up straight when you're awake and double the pillow under your head when it's time to sleep. ### Orgel or Lidocaine Urgel is a local anesthetic that can temporarily reduce pain in the area of your root canal. It is available in most pharmacies without a prescription. You simply apply the gel directly to the site of pain or your treated root canal, where it creates a numbing effect that can last anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the strength of the product. ### Anti-inflammatory drug Some of your oral discomfort is the result of swelling from the procedure and the infection that made the procedure difficult. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce swelling to relieve discomfort while also relieving pain. Something as simple as over-the-counter ibuprofen can potentially do the trick, but there are also strong prescription pain relievers that your dentist may be able to give you over the counter if ibuprofen isn't enough. ### salt water rinse You may not like the idea of gargling with salt water, especially after a root canal, but it's far better than the possible alternative of leaving a painful infection in your tooth or gum. A salt water rinse can help clean your mouth and prevent bacteria from finding its way into the sensitive area of ​​the wound, where it can cause infection. ### Avoid eating hard and crunchy foods While the sore in your mouth is still fresh and tender, you shouldn't eat anything that might irritate it and lead to more pain or a slower healing process. In fact, you should avoid eating while your mouth is still numb from the procedure or you could accidentally injure yourself. When you're ready to eat, be sure to stick to soft foods like fruit, pudding, eggs, ice cream, and soup for at least a few days. Liquids like smoothies and cold drinks are a better option. ### Ice compress or cold compress Cooling the operation site helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. A reusable sports ice pack is ideal, but a cold washcloth or ice pack will work just as well. Just hold it on your cheek for 5 minutes at a time and rest 10-15 minutes between rounds. If you are interested in learning more about our nerve removal services, contact us for more information.