If you have been told you require root canal therapy in Saddle Ridge, you likely want to be properly prepared for your procedure. It is important to know if you can drive following your procedure or if you need to bring a trusted individual to your appointment so they can give you a lift home. In this blog post, our team at Totally Dental tells you everything you need to know about driving after a root canal.
Is it Safe to Drive After Root Canal Therapy?
Our dentist near you performs root canal therapy to remove the infection from the center of your tooth. It is a relatively simple procedure that involves the following steps:
- our dental doctor near you will provide a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure you do not feel any pain during your procedure.
- Next, they will drill a small hole into your tooth to remove the infected pulp.
- Finally, they will disinfect the canals and place a filling in the tooth to seal it.
Your mouth should remain numb long enough for you to get home before any pain or discomfort sets in. Since only a local anesthetic is used for root canal treatment, you can safely drive yourself home, but there are some things to consider.
For instance, if you have a low pain tolerance or know that local anesthetic does not last long, you should consider getting a trusted individual to drive you to and from your appointment. If you start experiencing pain during your drive home, it may be enough to distract you from the road.
Circumstances in Which You Should Have Someone Drive You Home
There are some cases in which it is recommended that you bring someone with you to your appointment and have them drive you home. These include:
- If our dentist in NE Calgary uses a general anesthetic due to dental anxiety
- If our dentist gives you a narcotic for pain following your procedure
If you know that you will require the above before your appointment, bring a friend or family member to your appointment with you.
What Other Activities Should Be Avoided?
Taking it easy after getting root canal therapy near you is important. Here are some things you should keep in mind:
- Avoid exercise for a few days to prevent complications such as bleeding and allow your body to focus on healing.
- Don’t begin to eat until your mouth is no longer numb.
- Stick to a soft-food diet for about one week following your procedure.
If you notice any lingering pain or discomfort, visit our dental clinic in Calgary for a checkup.
The Bottom Line
Root canal treatment is a simple and quick procedure that removes an infection from a tooth. In most cases, a simple local anesthetic is enough to keep you comfortable during the procedure, and you can drive yourself home. However, there are some cases where you will need a trusted loved one to take you safely to and from the appointment.
To learn more about what is best for you regarding root canal treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Totally Dental.