For patients who have experienced pain, tooth decay, or other jaw problems, a root canal may be the suggested procedure. When you have a root canal, you will need to take care of the surgery site and eat soft foods in order to avoid more pain and infection. David G. Johnson D.D.S is here to help you heal from a root canal and improve the quality of all of your teeth with proper endodontic treatment. For patients who need a root canal, you may have experienced more pain before the root canal process, in order to avoid unnecessary pain.
Eat Safe Foods
After a dental procedure, you may find it hard to eat certain foods or eat normally for the first few days after the procedure. There are some foods you should definitely avoid after a root canal such as gum, nuts, sticky candy, and alcohol. Recovery time for each patient will vary, so make sure to check with your dentist before you fully return to hard and acidic foods.
Foods that are safe and appropriate for after a root canal include:
- Smoothies
- Pudding
- Pasta
- Eggs
- Pears
- Soup
- Mashed Potatoes
- Macaroni And Cheese
- Lentils
- Fish
Eating foods that are soft but also nutritious is important for protecting your surgery site as well as keeping up with other aspects of your physical health. Eating after a root canal may be a little tricky, but avoiding foods or eating at all can cause more pain and issues down the road.
Take The Correct Medication
Some dentists or endodontists may give you some pain medication after your root canal. Other over-the-counter pain medications can also help with pain and swelling for the few days that follow.
Besides taking medication, a cold compress could help with swelling and inflammation as well. Using your mouth lightly, preventing your jaw from staying open for long periods of time can prevent temporary pain.
Watch For Dangerous Symptoms
Taking new medication after a procedure can sometimes come with adverse reactions. If you start to notice a rash, hives, or itching on your body, it may be time to talk to your endodontist to prevent further damage and sickness. There are other medications that can help with the pain that will not cause an allergic reaction.
If you notice swelling outside of your mouth or pressure that lasts for more than just a few days, this can be another cause for concern. If your swelling is not diminishing with cold compresses, medication, or other methods, contact your dentist or endodontist immediately.
It is normal to experience some pain and swelling for a day or two after a root canal, but prolong symptoms and severe pain is not normal and should be looked at by an endodontist or other health professional.
Attend Follow Up Appointments And Cleanings
After your root canal procedure, there will be follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing properly and your teeth are not experiencing any other decay. There will also be an appointment to apply a final crown to the fully restored tooth. This is an important part of the root canal process in order to protect the tooth from full decay.
Follow-up cleaning and check-up appointments are important to keep all of your teeth for the rest of your life. These cleanings can help you avoid root canals or other dental procedures in the future.
Working With David G. Johnson D.D.S
Our office in Layton and Centerville, UT, works to provide you with all of your options for tooth decay and other dental procedures. Keeping your teeth from decay, straight, and shiny is our top priority. Root canal therapy can help prep our patients and help them recover in the shortest amount possible. With our skilled endodontic team, you can have beautifully restored teeth and prevent further dental procedures. Contact our office today to learn what services we offer and what we can do for you!
