What We Can Do After a Root Canal Treatment – Post Treatment Care

Gone are the days when you had to live with a damaged tooth. Modern dentistry has advanced rapidly to remove or repair damaged and impacted teeth. One such advancement is in root canal therapy, a series of treatments done to remove the impacted tooth pulp to eliminate further chances of infection. Once the infected pulp is removed, a dentist in Aurora, CO, can implant dental filling on the hollow cavity to protect it against further damage. The dentist might also repair the tooth with a dental crown if the damage is severe.

Root canal treatment is generally an outpatient procedure, but you need to follow strict dietary guidelines to ensure proper healing after the treatment is completed.

When to Eat After a Root Canal Treatment

You may start eating once the effect of local anesthesia wears off. The dentist recommends waiting to eat until you no longer feel numbness in the teeth and gums.

Eating while your mouth is still numb might lead to biting your cheeks or tongue or even burning them as you would not be able to judge the temperature of your food. More importantly, you might damage the temporary dental filling if you eat too soon after your root canal treatment.

What Foods to Eat After a Root Canal Treatment

We recommend eating only soft food after undergoing root canal treatment. It would help to chew on the opposite side of the mouth from your root canal site.

Some recommended foods for after a root canal include:

• Frozen yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Bananas
• Puddings or flan
• Cooked vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Rice
• Soup
• Soft cheese
• Pasta
• Scrambled eggs
• Hummus
• Sorbet
• Soft bread

What Foods to Avoid After a Root Canal Treatment

Hard and sticky foods, such as candy, caramels, and gum, should be avoided. Also, avoid foods requiring a lot of chewing, as excessive chewing can delay the healing process. Teeth might be sensitive after root canal treatment, so it is better to avoid extremely hot or extremely cold food and beverages.

You should continue to avoid hard and sticky foods for the entire time you have a temporary crown. Once the dentist installs your permanent crown, you can return to eating normally as long as you do not experience any pain. Crunchy foods such as apples, cucumber, and carrots may be painful to eat for a few days.

Other Post-Procedure Best Practices
Pain and numbness are common after root canal treatment. You can manage the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. Following general best practices for oral heal
the can help you heal faster.

• Maintain your oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing, but do not floss along the temporary crown or you may dislodge it. Gargle with warm salt water three times a day to help reduce inflammation. You can add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and swish in the mouth for a few seconds before spitting it out.

When to Call the Dentist

Follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist. If you experience

• persistent pain, swelling, or bleeding after your treatment, contact the office to assess if there is an underlying problem.

At Spruce Canyon Family Dentistry, we educate our patients to make the best decisions for their health. We provide cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, and restorative dentistry services in Aurora. Root canal treatment is one of the best tooth restoration treatments and has minimal side effects. Spruce Canyon Family Dentistry provides the best root canal treatment near you. Book an appointment to learn more.