A root canal is unpleasant enough without a runny nose to go with it.
Sometimes a root canal can cause a runny nose.
But this does not reflect an inadequate job by the doctor who performed the root canal.
So what then, would lead to a drippy nose?
“Depending on where the root canal is, and how deeply the infection is in the jaw, it may be embedded near the sinus,” says Dr. Alireza Panahpour, DDS, author of “The Good Dentist.”
“The proximity of the root canal to the sinus area may make it so that root canal treatment may cause bleeding.”
And it may also cause a bit of running due to the irritation. This is par for the course and nothing to get worried about.
See it for what it truly is: a temporary nuisance that will run its course soon enough.
“With any root canal or wisdom tooth treatment we use platelet rich fibrin to rebuild the sinus lining at the time of surgery,” says Dr. Panahpour.
Three Questions to Ask About Your Root Canal Procedure
If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, here are three questions to ask.
“Exactly why do I need a root canal?” Reasons would be advanced tooth decay, a problem with tooth pulp due to a chipped or cracked tooth, or a bacterial infection.
“How much experience do you have with performing root canals?” Sometimes a dentist does root canals. Other dentists will refer the patient to an endodontist.
An endodontist typically performs significantly more root canals per week than does a dentist.
“What can I do to ensure success with the procedure?” One of the things you should do is arrange to have a final restoration after the root canal, as nearly all root canals need this.
Finally, a bonus question to ask the doctor who will be performing your root canal is what kind of possible side effects you might experience, including those that might arise based on the location of the infection if that’s what you have.
Runny noses following a root canal are not unheard of.
Dr. Panahpour’s approach to dental health encompasses the patient’s diet, immune and structural integrity, plus all the traditional treatments of a conventional dental practice.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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