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17
Feb
Can You Smoke After A Root Canal
Many patients ask if they can Smoke After A Root Canal — but one wrong step can slow healing and cause serious complications. Your treated tooth needs the right care in the first few days. If you’re unsure what’s safe, talk to a dentist now at (512) 863-7561.
Read More: Post Operative Instructions for Root CanalTaking a break from smoking or quitting it can be a very difficult task for habitual smokers. However, you have to take a break or even quit smoking temporarily if you are going to have a root canal.
A common question that is usually asked is “Can I smoke after a root canal procedure?” The answer is simple: smoking harms the root canal procedure and may also delay the healing.
Recovery Period After Root Canal Treatment
The initial recovery period after a root canal treatment usually lasts from a few days to a week. During the recovery phase, your body’s natural healing abilities reduce inflammation, the entry points from the procedure heal, and the tooth has time to stabilize. However, it often takes a month for the root canal to heal completely. Therefore, it is recommended to take proper precautions during this prolonged healing period.
Smoke After A Root Canal — Why Does It Delay Healing?
Since smoking causes vasoconstriction, which ultimately reduces the level of oxygen in the blood, in smokers, healing after a root canal procedure can be delayed because smoking can reduce the level of oxygen in the blood that is supplied to the tissue that needs to be healed. Moreover, smoking also causes inflammation. Although inflammation is a natural process that promotes recovery, the inflammation caused by smoking usually has a negative impact on healing. Additionally, the risk of infection increases with smoking, which, after a root canal procedure, may cause serious complications.
How Long Should You Smoke After A Root Canal Be Avoided?
Your dentist may advise that you avoid Smoke After A Root Canal throughout the procedure, as the recovery period following a root canal treatment varies from patient to patient.
It generally takes between 2 days and 2 weeks for a root canal to heal completely. However, the recovery period depends on the severity of the infection treated, underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and other lifestyle factors.
We know that it is difficult to stop smoking even if it’s only for one day, but you need to do it. A root canal is often done to save your natural tooth and is a serious surgical procedure. Therefore, if the natural healing process is affected or delayed due to Smoke After A Root Canal, it can put your natural tooth at risk.
The following tips can help you avoid Smoke After A Root Canal and support proper healing following your root canal treatment.
- ● Exercise
- ● Eating healthy food.
- ● Taking up a new hobby.
- ● Keeping yourself busy.
- ● Meditation
Tips for a Smooth Recovery After a Root Canal
Your mouth stays numb for a few hours after the root canal. During this period, it is advised only to consume cold or room temperature water until you no longer feel numb or till the effect of local anaesthesia is reduced. This prevents you from burning yourself with hot food or accidentally biting yourself. You can start eating soft foods like ice cream, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal in the initial period once the numbness fades. In the days after a root canal, you may feel slight pain, swelling, and discomfort. However, the pain can be easily managed using painkillers and cold compression for swelling.
When Can You Smoke After a Root Canal?
After 3 days, you can smoke after a root canal and return to your normal routine. But, during those 3 days, you are advised not to smoke or use straws. However, if you have been trying to quit smoking, then this is the best time for you.
Save Your Teeth With Dentist in Georgetown Tx
Do you have a tooth infection or inflammation? You can contact our dentist in Georgetown, TX. Our dental care workers at Georgetown will guide you on whether you need dental treatment and when you should engage in dental care activities. To book an appointment, call us now at (512) 863-7561.
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