Can you eat after having a root canal?

Choose soft, easy-to-chew foods while you recover from a root canal.

Root canal therapy is performed in order to repair teeth that have been severely damaged by decay, trauma or illness. During the procedure, infected, inflamed or dead tooth pulp is removed and the damaged or weakened tooth is often restored with a dental crown. Root canal therapy is often an effective means of saving a damaged tooth from extraction, and can go a long way in resolving pain and discomfort and improving overall oral health. Once the procedure is complete and the effects of the local anaesthetic have worn off, you may experience some swelling and tenderness at the site of treatment — read on to find out what to expect from the recovery process, and what you can eat while your mouth heals…

How soon can you eat after treatment?

Before your dentist goes ahead with root canal therapy, they will administer a local anaesthetic so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. It can take a few hours for the effects of the anaesthetic medicine to wear off, so it is advisable that you wait until your teeth and gums are no longer numb before you eat. It is best that you don’t eat while your mouth still feels numb because there is a chance that you might bite your cheeks or tongue.

In many cases, a temporary filling is placed on the affected tooth after a root canal treatment. This temporary restoration helps to protect the tooth until your permanent crown has been fabricated. If you eat too soon after root canal therapy, it is possible that you will cause damage to your temporary filling.

What can you eat after a root canal?

Once the effects of your anaesthetic have worn off, you will be able to eat again. It is best, however, to stick to soft foods while your mouth is healing. Some examples of nutritious, easy-to-eat foods include blended soups; mashed potatoes; scrambled eggs; smoothies; yoghurt; and stewed fruit.

As you are likely to experience some pain and discomfort for a few days following treatment, it is best to avoid hard foods during this time. Try to avoid whole nuts and seeds, as well as sticky foods that require a lot of chewing — this includes sticky candy and chewing gum.

It is also a good idea to avoid foods and drinks that are particularly hot or cold as you might experience some tooth sensitivity after you have had a temporary or permanent crown fitted. If you have some soup, make sure it is lukewarm rather than hot.

How do you take care of your teeth after a root canal?

Your dentist may recommend some over-the-counter pain medications, which will help to alleviate discomfort while you recover from your root canal treatment. In order to take care of your teeth after the procedure, it is important that you commit to proper oral hygiene habits — this includes brushing and flossing your teeth every day.

You might also find it helpful to gargle with salt water a few times a day. This can help to reduce inflammation and keep the site of treatment clean.

How can we help?

At Future Dental, we offer a range of general and restorative dental treatments, including root canal therapy. If you have one or more teeth that have been damaged by disease, trauma or deep decay, you may be a suitable candidate for the treatment. If you are suffering from pain or discomfort, we encourage you to come in and see us as soon as possible. Your dentist will examine your teeth and advise you on the best course of treatment.

If you would like to find out more about root canal therapy and what the procedure involves, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation, please give us a call on (07) 4051 4580 or get in touch with us here.