Root cleaning

[Grant]

Hi

I had root cleaning done by my dentist on a tooth that had become infected last Friday. After the procedure, my dentist told me that he removed the nerve and put a filling in there and told me that I might have some pain for a while but the tooth will eventually be OK after a few days of possibly being tender.

Since after the anaesthetic wore off, the only pain that I have is a gum pain from the gum around the tooth that had the root canal cleaning. I phoned the practice yesterday and the receptionist told me that its probably pain from the root canal clamp that was put around my tooth.

I would like to know if its usual to have gum pain after root cleaning. My worry is that the gum may have become infected too and as I am going on holiday next week, I would like to take any antibiotics that I need to take as soon as possible to stop any gum infection from getting worst.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Hi

It is true that the root canal clamp and injections can traumatize the gum around the tooth during root canal treatment. This should soon settle down, if it does not settle down, please see a dentist to assess the tooth but its unlikely that you will need antibiotics.