It’s summertime, and your family is planning to go away for a few weeks to enjoy a wonderful vacation at the beach. You’ve been looking forward to it all year, and now that it’s only weeks away, you learn that you need a root canal in Saratoga. Will this necessary treatment derail your trip or is it possible to enjoy your time away without worry? Read on to find out what you should do.
Is It Safe to Travel After Having a Root Canal?
If you’re worried that having a root canal will cause you to miss out on your long-awaited vacation, don’t be! The truth is that it is completely safe to venture away from home after this type of dental procedure. While experts recommend waiting at least 5-7 days to make sure no problems develop and the pain fully subsides, you should be fine to hop on an airplane.
Can Problems Occur During Travel?
It is possible that problems can develop while on an airplane, but there are ways to handle them should they occur. There is some discussion that a change in altitude on an airplane may cause you to have some discomfort after having a root canal. Because the procedure requires clearing out the decayed areas of your inner tooth and nearby canals, the root and nerve may be extremely sensitive and cause feelings of pain.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t travel. Instead, your dentist can recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever (i.e. Tylenol or ibuprofen) before you leave on your flight. These anti-inflammatory medications make it possible to reduce discomfort and make your travel more enjoyable.
You might also consider scheduling your root canal well in advance of your trip to ensure you are fully healed by the time you’re ready to leave on vacation. This is often the most advisable option, as the likeliness of anything going wrong or becoming problematic will be lessened while on your trip.
If you plan to leave within days of your procedure, it will be necessary for you to postpone your procedure or your vacation. The initial days after a root canal require adequate rest and minimal activity, so you may need to rearrange one or the other to keep from putting your oral health in jeopardy.
About the Author
Dr. An Nguyen earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. She also received specialty training in endodontics at the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education. As an accomplished endodontist at Endodontic Associates – Saratoga, she and her team strive to preserve the patient’s smile at all costs. Unless circumstances call for an extraction, you can be sure that Dr. Nguyen will do everything she can to help you keep your natural teeth. If you think you may need a root canal to save your smile, visit our website or call (408) 255-6511.
