8 Reasons You Might Experience Tooth Pain After Root Canal

Tooth pain after a root canal can be frustrating. After all, if you’ve had a root canal done, it was because you needed pain relief. The pain should have gone away after your root canal, right? The fact is that, in some cases, you may experience pain following a root canal. Let’s explore what causes this and what you should do if it happens.

1. Normal Post-Procedure Inflammation

After a root canal, it’s common to have some inflammation around the tooth that was treated. This inflammation can cause mild to moderate discomfort when you chew or press on the tooth, but it usually goes away within a few days. During this time, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers.

2. The Tooth Has a Lingering Infection

A root canal is supposed to remove an infection in a tooth, but sometimes residual bacteria can remain in the tooth’s intricate and tiny structures. If you have throbbing pain or visible signs of an infection, you must contact your dentist immediately.

3. High Bite Alignment

Following a root canal, a filling or crown is placed on your tooth. In rare cases, the crown might be slightly higher than adjacent teeth. This causes a misaligned bite, which can put pressure on the tooth that was treated. Your dentist can easily adjust this problem.

4. Tooth Becomes Reinfected

If you accidentally damage your filling or crown, bacteria can re-enter your tooth. When this happens, you might feel worsening pain or swelling. Your dentist needs to address the infection promptly before you have further complications.

5. Sensitivity in Adjacent Teeth

Adjacent teeth can sometimes become temporarily sensitive after a root canal. This is because teeth can share the same nerves and cause residual inflammation. When this happens, the pain is usually mild and will resolve itself.

6. Sinus-Related Pressure

Upper teeth are close to your sinus cavities. A root canal can occasionally irritate the sinuses. If this happens to you, you might feel pressure or mild discomfort in your sinus area. As your root canal heals, this will resolve itself.

7. Temporary Nerve Irritation

The process of cleaning the canals in your tooth’s root is a sensitive task that can sometimes irritate nerves that are nearby. This irritation is temporary and will go away as the area heals. If the pain lingers, contact your dentist so they can evaluate for underlying causes.

8. You May Have an Underlying Gum Issue

Untreated gum issues can make the area around the root canal uncomfortable.

• Gum infection: Bacteria in the gums can cause pain even after treating the tooth.
• Periodontal pockets: Deep pockets around a tooth can trap debris, leading to pain and irritation.
• Gums are receding: If roots are exposed because gums have receded, the treated area may be sensitive.

9. Contacting West Portal Family Dentistry About Pain After a Root Canal

If you experience tooth pain after a root canal in San Francisco, CA, Dr. Tiffany H. Nguyen and West Portal Family Dentistry staff can help. Never ignore persistent pain, swelling, or symptoms of an infection. Call (415) 604-9292 for high-quality care and comfort today to schedule an appointment.

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