3 Things That Can Delay Healing After Root Canals

Dentist Blog

If your dentist is trying to save one or more of your molars, root canals may be recommended. If a root canal is not an option because of severe dental damage, extraction may be your only option. While a root canal typically goes off without a hitch, there are certain lifestyle factors that may delay healing after your procedure. Here are three things that may slow your healing after undergoing a root canal procedure and what you can do about them:

Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes, try quitting, or at least try cutting back before and after your root canal procedure. The toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage your blood vessels, including the small vessels inside your mouth. When these small blood vessels, known as capillaries, do not function optimally, blood flow and circulation are impeded.

When adequate blood flow is not established in your mouth, healing from your root canal may be delayed. If you are unable to quit smoking on your own, talk to your physician about recommending an effective smoking cessation strategy that will help you get through your nicotine cravings. 

Taking Aspirin

While root canals are typically well-tolerated by most patients, some people may experience slight discomfort, and may therefore, reach for a couple of aspirin. Although aspirin can help reduce discomfort and inflammation, it can increase your risk for bleeding after your dental procedure.

Aspirin decreases platelet aggregation and may render your platelets less sticky. This means that your blood will not clot as effectively as it would have, had you not taken aspirin. If you experience minor discomfort following your root canal, take acetaminophen, which will not affect the way your blood clots. 

Not Consuming Enough Vitamin C

Diets lacking in vitamin C can lead to delayed healing and capillary malfunction. Vitamin C also promotes healthy collagen formation, promotes wound healing, enhances circulation, and may lower your risk for infection.

While vitamin C supplements are usually tolerated by most people, they can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and heartburn in others. It is for this reason that before considering vitamin C supplements, you should try getting your daily allowance of this nutrient through foods such as citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables.

It is also important to note that drinking too much coffee or taking calcium supplements may inhibit the absorption of vitamin C, and therefore excessive amounts should be avoided. 

If you will be getting a root canal, try to quit smoking, avoid aspirin, and increase your consumption of dietary vitamin C. In addition to these interventions, talk to your dentist about other ways to promote healing and ask which signs and symptoms of infection to watch for after undergoing your dental procedure. You can also contact companies like Webster John B DDS for more information. 

Share

24 January 2018

Dentistry for the Whole Family

Do you have a different doctor from your spouse? Does your child see a pediatrician? Most families have different medical health providers for different members of the family. This makes sense in most cases, but did you know that you can find a dentist who will treat every person in the family from a baby to a senior? I'm a manager or a family dentist, and in this blog you will learn why a family dentist is a great idea. I will tell you the many advantages of taking every family member to the same dentist, and I will give you tips of finding the right dental office for your family.