As you get ready to have a root canal, there are several things you need to do beforehand to prepare yourself for it. You do not want to be caught off guard at your appointment by forgetting to do these 5 things.

Ask Your Dentist Questions About The Procedure

If it is your first time getting a root canal, you may not have any idea what to expect about the procedure. Always feel free to ask your dentist any questions you may have. Some that you may want to ask are:

• How much pain will I feel afterwards?
• What kind of medications will I need, and will it conflict with existing medications I take?
• How long is the recover process?

You want your dentist to make you feel at ease about the procedure so that you can be prepared for what happens afterward.

Avoid Blood Thinners And Aspirin

Blood thinners and Aspirin are known to cause complications with bleeding when having a root canal. If you are currently taking either for a preexisting condition, speak with your dentist about how long you need to be off these two medications before the root canal.

Arrange For Your Transportation After The Procedure

The anesthesia that you will be on will leave you in no condition to drive following your root canal. You should have someone handle all your transportation to and from the dentists on the day of your procedure. Chances are you will wake up from the procedure at home, not even remembering how you got there.

Avoid Drinking And Smoking Prior To Your Procedure

You may be tempted to smoke a cigarette or have an alcoholic beverage prior to your root canal to ease your nerves, but it can actually make things worse. Alcohol and nicotine can actually slow down how fast your body heals, and even cause the anesthesia to be not as effective.

If you insist on drinking or smoking, speak with your dentist about how long you must wait before and after the procedure.

Relax

It is common to experience anxiety prior to having your root canal. It's important that you try to relax. A root canal is a bigger dental procedure than a cavity, but still relatively minor one in the world of dentistry. With the help of a great dentist and anesthesia, you will not even remember a thing about having the root canal done.