How To Prepare For A Root Canal
A root canal is a relatively straightforward outpatient dental procedure that can be performed, depending on the severity, over an hour or so. Once the procedure begins, there is little to no discomfort, thanks to the locally applied anesthetic. You won’t feel or see a thing. In many ways, it isn’t all that much different for you than a filling, other than the procedure taking a little more time.
With that said, you will still want to prepare yourself for a root canal. Chances are you have some questions you’ll want answers to, and you’ll want to know what you can do to ensure the procedure is a success while remaining as comfortable as possible. To help you with this, here is a rundown on how to prepare for a root canal and what you can do to reduce stress and anxiety and relax throughout the procedure.
Have Your Questions Answered
It doesn’t matter how major or minor a surgery is, you will have questions, and it is important to have them answered by the professionals performing the procedure.
Patients usually try looking for answers online; however, while there’s some great content out there, you will also be bombarded with worst-case scenarios, not to mention photographs that, in reality, could never happen to you. But the human mind is wired to think of the worst possible situation.
In fact, this is a recipe for high anxiety and stress levels you absolutely do not need to deal with. Instead, make sure to ask your dental professional all the questions you have. And if you think of any questions you should have asked ahead of time, you can always contact the staff at Southern Endodontic Specialists with these follow-up questions.
Discuss Medications
If you suffer from extreme anxiety, you might be terrified of needles or clamp up when someone’s fingers are in your mouth. First of all, do not worry about this. It is something that happens, and often there is nothing you can do about this anxiety (although a routine visit to the dentist should reduce your anxiety levels). If this sounds like you, it is crucial to let the dental team know. This way, they can make the necessary accommodation adjustments just in case you need anesthesia designed to put you under entirely.
It might be possible that the dentist or endodontist will want you to take some pain reliever before or after the procedure. Talk to your dental provider about this and find out if you need to have a prescription filled. You’ll want to have this filled ahead of time so you have it when the root canal is finished.
Prepare The Day Before
Twenty-four hours before going into the dental office, there are several things you’ll want to do, as well as some objects you’ll want to avoid. For starters, you need to get a good night’s sleep. This is the best way to have a comfortable procedure and reduce the chance of anxiety. It would be best if you also ate a balanced, healthy dinner, as well as eat breakfast. Unlike other medical procedures, you can eat breakfast beforehand (unless your dentist says otherwise). This can help reduce any possible blood sugar spikes or drops which can occur in those individuals who suffer from dental anxiety.
You should avoid any alcoholic beverage for at least 24 hours before your procedure, although it is ideal to go longer without alcohol. Because you may be dealing with antibiotics as well as an anesthetic, you don’t want to have alcohol in the bloodstream, as this can potentially affect the medications used on your body. Likewise, you need to avoid tobacco products. On top of this, if you do suffer from anxiety when visiting the dentist, you should skip out on that morning cup of coffee.
Schedule a Root Canal Consultation Today
Whether you have been recommended to Southern Endodontic Specialists or believe you need a root canal and want to see a specialist right away, rest assured, as you are in good hands. The Southern Endodontic Specialists team focuses on the health and well-being of the inside of your teeth.
Because of this, root canals are performed almost daily, all with state-of-the-art technology designed to minimize the procedure while optimizing the results. Even if you have had a root canal before, the technology used within the office will make you feel more comfortable throughout the duration.
If you want to know more about how to prepare for a root canal, or you want to schedule a consultation to see if you do need a root canal performed, now is the perfect time to contact the team at Southern Endodontic Specialists.