While oil pulling is an ancient oral hygiene practice, it has recently become much more popular due to a large collection of TikTok videos claiming the practice can save your teeth from decay. Some have even claimed that the practice has removed cavities from their teeth, allowing them to avoid advanced infections and root canals. While there are a great number of people stating how beneficial oil pulling has been for their teeth, can incorporating this practice into your oral hygiene routine save you from a root canal? 

At David G. Johnson, DDS, we want our patients to understand how the practice may be beneficial to their teeth and whether they should consider incorporating it into their current oral hygiene routine. If you need a root canal and are considering putting it off in order to try oil pulling instead, keep reading to learn whether this is the best option for your oral health. 

What is Oil Pulling? 

For over 5,000 years, oil pulling has been used as an Ayurvedic therapy. This practice involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth like a mouthwash but for longer periods of time, often between 2 and 30 minutes. While traditional Ayurvedic therapy calls for the use of sesame oil, coconut oil has become the more popular alternative because of its ability to reduce inflammation and fight harmful bacteria. 

It has been said that oil pulling can prevent tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, and more dental irritations. While it has become a much more popular oral hygiene practice due to its increased popularity on social media, it is important to note that the American Dental Association does not currently recommend adding oil pulling to your current oral hygiene routine. 

The Side Effects of Oil Pulling

While oil pulling is known for being relatively safe, there are certainly some side effects you may experience, especially when you are just beginning the process. When you first add it to your routine, you may notice some jaw soreness and headaches. These are often attributed to the excessive swishing motion and may alleviate over time. 

You may also experience an upset stomach if you accidentally swallow the oil. While there are very few side effects, it is important that you do not replace properly brushing and flossing your teeth with oil pulling. You should always follow the advice provided for you by your dentist or endodontist, as they have a thorough understanding of your oral health history and the current condition of your teeth. Choosing to disregard the advice provided by your dental care provider may lead to dealing with these uncomfortable side effects, or in more severe cases, tooth decay or damage.

Can Oil Pulling Replace a Root Canal? 

Many people often experience heightened levels of anxiety when facing a larger dental procedure, including root canals. However, it is important to state that root canals are currently the most reliable way to address problems within your tooth, especially when focusing on severe levels of infection. While there are alternative dental procedures to address problems within the root of the tooth, there are no products on the market that can act as a reliable substitute.

A root canal is a procedure that focuses on removing infected tissue within the tooth, called the pulp. The process is essential for preserving the health and integrity of your tooth. Once the infection has reached the pulp of your teeth, the best course of action is to reach out to your endodontist to schedule a root canal. So no, oil pulling is not currently a reliable replacement for a root canal. Attempting to substitute with oil pulling or other home remedies may inadvertently make the problem much worse. 

The Risk of Putting Off a Root Canal

When you delay a necessary root canal in order to attempt healing through home remedies, there are many complications you risk running into. Some of the most common risks of putting off a root canal include:

• Increased pain
• Spread of infection
• Abscess formation
• Tooth loss
• Increased treatment complexities
• And more

While we understand that you may want to put this procedure off due to anxiety, the risks far outweigh the discomfort. If your endodontist has recommended a root canal, it is essential that you schedule the appointment as soon as possible to protect your teeth from much more severe damage. 

Should You Add Oil Pulling to Your Oral Hygiene Routine? 

With all of this in mind, is adding oil pulling to your oral hygiene routine worthwhile? As we have already mentioned above, the American Dental Association doesn’t currently recommend adding it to your routine. Their stance emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices and treatments with proven benefits for oral health, which oil pulling doesn’t currently have.

So, should you add it to your routine? The answer is a personal one. While the scientific support for oil pulling is currently limited, some have reported positive experiences with the method. Ultimately, if you choose to add it to your everyday routine, it is important that it isn’t used in place of other techniques. You should continue to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, even if you choose to incorporate oil pulling, to protect your teeth from any decay or damage. 

If you are thinking about incorporating or are struggling to decide whether incorporating the technique into your everyday routine is best for you, you may want to consider consulting with your dentist or endodontist. They can help you determine whether your current oral hygiene routine is meeting your specific needs and goals. 

Root Canals with a Reliable Endodontist

If your cavity has developed into a more severe dental infection and you are in need of a root canal, don’t turn to oil pulling. Prolonging your root canal may lead to more severe infection or, in more severe cases, tooth loss. If you need to get a root canal, our team at David G. Johnson, DDS, is the perfect team to rely on for this intimidating dental procedure.

Dr. David Johnson has been practicing endodontics in Northern Utah since 1990, and we are confident that he can help you through any root canal procedure. With several decades of experience, we are confident that he can help you through any root canal, no matter how severe. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a root canal with our expert team, reach out to us at our Layton or Centerville locations today.

So your endodontist has told you it’s time to get a root canal. You might not know where to begin with the preparation for the procedure, so the experience is as pleasant as possible. With preparation comes confidence in the procedure, and our team at David G. Johnson, DDS., wants you to know exactly how to prepare for a root canal so you’ll feel confident heading into the procedure.  

1. Ask Plenty Of Questions

If this is your first time getting a root canal, you might feel nervous about it. This feeling of anxiety is completely normal. You may experience a bit of anxiety surrounding bigger procedures. But a lot of this anxiety can be alleviated by talking to your dentist or endodontist. Make sure to ask plenty of questions before you go in for your procedure. It makes the procedure more straightforward, so you can go into it feeling confident. 

2. Avoid Tobacco And Alcohol

Smoking and drinking before your procedure can impact blood flow and slow down your healing. It may also slow down your immune system. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol before a root canal can protect you from infection and slower healing, making the overall experience more pleasant. Tobacco and alcohol should be avoided before the procedure. You should continue avoiding both until you’re fully healed and are no longer taking your prescribed antibiotics and pain medication. 

3. Eat A Few Hours Before You Go

Because a root canal involves numbing the mouth and gums, you might want to eat before you go in for the procedure. Eating afterward may be difficult or uncomfortable, and your dentist or endodontist may suggest you avoid eating until the anesthetic or numbing medications have worn off. By eating beforehand, you’ll make the recovery immediately following the procedure a little more comfortable. If you choose to eat, pick foods that are gentle on the stomach, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water as well. 

4. Get Plenty Of Rest Before And After

You’ll want to head into a root canal feeling your best. To do this, make sure you get a full night’s sleep before going in. Once your root canal is complete, plan for another full, restful night of sleep. Your body does the most healing while you are at rest. By getting a good night of sleep following the procedure, you’ll allow your body to care for your teeth and prevent prolonged healing periods. 

5. Take Painkillers Before You Go

Your dentist or endodontist may suggest taking a painkiller before your procedure. Taking medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen, which are anti-inflammatories, can help your body handle any potential swelling before it happens. You may want to continue a course of painkillers for a couple of days following the procedure to fight the swelling and discomfort that may follow. 

6. Ask About Antibiotics

While antibiotics aren’t 100% necessary following a root canal, you may want to talk to your dentist or endodontist about them prior to the procedure. Some endodontists will prescribe antibiotics to ensure you have the greatest chance for a successful and comfortable recovery following the procedure. Discussing antibiotics before the root canal will also allow you to inform your practitioner of any allergies you experience from medications or whether they think it is necessary for you.

7. Make Sure You Have A Ride To Get Home

Not every root canal requires anesthesia. You can drive home if you’re just receiving local anesthesia to numb the area. However, if your dentist or endodontist recommends going under anesthesia, you will need a ride home following your root canal. Talk to your dentist or endodontist prior to the procedure to know what to expect. 

8. Prepare Your Home For Recovery

The easiest part of a root canal will be the portion done at the office. But from there, you’ll want your home prepared for your recovery. Ensure your bed is prepped with your favorite pillows and blankets and that your kitchen is full of soft foods, like soup, yogurt, pasta, or sushi, to aid your recovery. Preparing your home before your root canal guarantees you can come home and rest without errands looming over your head. 

Prepare For Your Root Canal With David G. Johnson DDS

If you’re about to get your first root canal, we hope our advice has given you peace of mind. Root canals are standard procedures, and you should trust that your endodontist will make the process as smooth for you as possible. If you have any questions about the root canal process or would like to schedule an endodontic service with our team, reach out to us at our Layton or Centerville office today.

Root canals have a reputation for being an excruciating dental procedure. While necessary in order to treat and save your natural tooth, root canals aren’t supposed to hurt. If anything, they’re supposed to alleviate the pain your root canal was causing you. The idea that root canals are painful is mostly just a persistent myth, reminiscent of the days before there was adequate anesthesia. 

However, being told that it’s a myth that root canals are painful can be frustrating if getting root canal treatment was indeed painful for you. You may read all these articles talking about how this is something that used to be the case but no longer and feel unseen and unheard because yours was painful

In truth, your root canal treatment should not be painful. The recovery process may be more painful than recovering from a cavity, but it shouldn’t be excruciating. If your root canal was painful, there are a few reasons why this may be. 

What Root Canal Pain Is Normal

It’s normal for you to be in some pain after the procedure, but it should be manageable with painkillers. It should go away within a few days. After the procedure, you will likely find that you’re actually in less pain than you were before. This is because the purpose of a root canal treatment is to alleviate your pain and prevent it from worsening.

Pain during the treatment itself is not normal and can indicate a larger issue. 

Potential Reasons Why Your Root Canal Treatment Was Painful

If you experienced pain during your root canal treatment, this is something that you will want to bring up to your dentist right away. You can also seek a second opinion if desired. The only way to know why you experienced pain during your root canal treatment is to talk to a dental professional. 

These are some potential reasons for why you experienced pain. However, this is not meant for you to determine what happened, merely provide some plausible causes for your pain. Consult with a dental professional if you experienced any pain during a root canal treatment. If you continue to experience pain after a root canal, talk to your dentist right away, as this can indicate a serious problem. 

That said, here are some potential reasons for why you experienced pain during your root canal.

You Needed More Anesthesia

Some people simply need more anesthesia than others. What’s perfect for one person may not be enough for another. While your dentist should be watching you for signs of pain and ask whether or not you feel anything, this may not always be the case. Or, perhaps they do, but you feel the need to lie about how much pain you’re in, either because you are ashamed of being in pain or you do not want to be an inconvenience. 

Never be afraid to ask for more anesthesia! A good dentist doesn’t want you to be in pain during your root canal any more than you do. There’s absolutely no shame in needing more anesthesia in order to numb the area. 

Your dentist will know how to use anesthesia properly in order to keep you healthy and safe. You can also ask about sedation dentistry if you have anxiety about the procedure. There are two types of dental sedation, conscious, where you are awake, and unconscious, where you are put to sleep. Most often, patients are kept awake during the procedure, but you can talk to your dentist about the best options for you.

It Was Not Done Correctly

With modern technology, techniques, and anesthesia, root canals are painless when done correctly. You’ll probably feel some pressure, the same way you do when a cavity is filled. However, there shouldn’t be any pain.

If you experienced pain during your root canal, this could be because it was not done properly. If the root canal was done incorrectly, this can result in root canal failure. This can occur as a result of dental malpractice, such as performing misdiagnosis, drilling too deep, or failing to properly clean and fill the inside of the tooth.

If your root canal was not done correctly, you’ll likely experience severe pain after the procedure or pain that does not go away after a few days. There may be swelling, and even discharge from the tooth in severe cases where an abscess has formed. Bear in mind that it is normal to experience some pain after a root canal, but it should be manageable and go away within a few days. If it does not or the pain is severe, that is when you should be concerned. 

If you are concerned about root canal failure, talk with your dental professional. You can get a second opinion if you are uncomfortable going back to the dentist or endodontist who did the root canal. A professional will be able to diagnose you and provide you with treatment options.

Is Your Treated Root Canal Causing You Pain?

Seek help if your pain is severe or does not go away. David G. Johnson, DDS, is an experienced endodontist who can help you with your root canal needs. Know that pain during root canal treatment should not occur. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about root canals or other types of endodontic treatments.