A root canal procedure is intended to clean out the pulp of a dying tooth.  The procedure often requires two steps. In the first step, your dentist will drill a hole into your tooth and clean out the pulp, as well as, any bacteria that may have infected your tooth. While the crown and bacteria work to prevent bacteria, there are additional tips you should consider in order to successfully prevent contamination.

What The Filling Does For You

The procedure is fairly straightforward. The hole is then often sealed with a rubber-like material. The second step involves restoring the tooth with a filling. In many circumstances, a crown may also be placed over a fragile tooth once the root canal has been completed. The crown and filling function as protective barriers. They will both work to prevent bacteria from entering your tooth and contaminating it. 

Do Not Use The Affected Tooth To Chew

After a root canal, your tooth Is going through a healing process and it is typically fragile and sensitive. Therefore, you should avoid chewing using your recently cleaned tooth. If your tooth does not have a crown then chewing will only increase the chances that food and bacteria will enter your tooth and contaminate the pulp area. 

Incorporate Salt Rinses

While you should make sure that you do not disrupt your affected tooth, it is still important to clean it regularly. Keeping your teeth as clean as possible will help to ensure that your tooth is not contaminated after the root canal procedure. If you are worried that you may not be brushing hard enough, you can incorporate salt rinses into your cleaning routine for a few days immediately following your procedure. The salt rinses will effectively remove additional bacteria without aggravating your tooth.

Limit Sugary And Acidic Foods

The filling that is used to restore your tooth is susceptible to damage like the rest of the teeth in your mouth. Without proper care, it will quickly wear out or fall out. Therefore, it is important to be cognizant of what foods you are putting into your mouth. Sugary and acidic foods will eat away at the filling and eventually open it up to bacteria. 

A root canal procedure is seen as the ideal solution for fixing a dying tooth because other solutions are often more costly and painful to deal with. As a result, use these tips to avoid contaminating your tooth after a root canal procedure.