A root canal is a necessary step to preserve a natural tooth. It can relieve the pain that is caused by infected pulp, and give the tooth strength with a dental crown. However, getting the root canal is only half of the battle toward having a healthy tooth, since you need to care for that tooth afterward. Here are some tips that will help you preserve the tooth after the root canal treatment is complete.

Follow A Proper Oral Hygiene Routine

Having a tooth with a protective crown is not going to make the tooth impervious to damage. You still need to have a good oral hygiene routine at home with flossing and brushing every single day. Skipping out on your home care can lead to more problems, especially if the gums start to recede around the crown. This is all preventable by simply doing what you are supposed to do every day to take care of your teeth.

Pick The Right Oral Hygiene Products

Your tooth with the root canal may be more sensitive after the procedure, and you'll want to find ways to minimize the discomfort. A toothpaste that treats sensitive teeth can help combat any discomfort due to hot and cold temperatures. It can help to use an antimicrobial mouthwash that will reduce the bacteria in your mouth as well, and help care for the treated tooth and all the gums that surround it.

Monitor For Discomfort

You'll likely feel some discomfort after you return from getting your root canal, which is completely normal. However, you need to pay attention to whether the discomfort gets better or worse. Your tooth should only get better when it comes to sensitivity and discomfort, and it is not good if the tooth gets worse over time. That is a big indication that you need to return to the dentist and have the tooth looked at since it could be infected. 

Eat Crown-Friendly Foods

Pay attention to what you are eating and if it can harm your new dental crown. Foods that are really sticky or hard can actually damage the crown if you are not careful. Try to avoid candy like taffy that can really pull on the crown when you open your mouth just to be safe. 

If you do end up damaging your crown and it does come out of your mouth, collect all of the pieces and return to the dentist. It's possible that they'll be able to put the crown back together and place it back on the tooth.  

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