Do you have a root canal treatment scheduled in the next few days? One of the things you might be wondering about is how and what you can eat after the treatment. Because a root canal involves the removal of a part of the tooth that is infected, sealing the canals, and repairing the tooth using a dental crown, you might be worried that you could eat something that could damage the work done or prolong its recovery.

In this post, your trusted dentist in Edmonton talks about what is safe to eat and what’s not after a root canal. This could serve as your guide to ensure that everything heals properly after your treatment, plus some aftercare tips to speed up the healing:

What You Can Eat After a Root Canal

It is highly recommended to stick to soft foods after a root canal. This way, you can allow your mouth to fully recover and reduce the chances of getting irritated. Another thing to remember is that you should try to wait until the numbness is all gone so you can avoid hurting parts of your mouth that still haven’t regained sensation.

Now that you know what you need to do, here are some of the softest food you can enjoy while recovering from your treatment:

  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Smoothies
  • Yogurt
  • Ripe or Canned food
  • Soft cheese
  • Noodles
  • Pasta
  • Quinoa
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Shredded meat
  • Saltines
  • Cooked vegetables
  • Hummus
  • Sorbet

What You Shouldn’t Eat After a Root Canal 

Now that you have an idea of what you can eat, what food items should you avoid completely? As a general rule, you shouldn’t eat any hard or sticky food that could either affect the recent work done or even dislodge the temporary crown.

You should also stay away from overly cold drinks or hot foods as you are still prone to extreme sensitivity to temperature in your teeth and gums, so best to stick with a milder temperature. 

Here’s a list of the things you should never eat after a root canal:

  • Candy
  • Gum
  • Taffy
  • Peanut brittle
  • Ice cubes
  • Nuts
  • Seeds

Depending on the adhesive used by the dentist on your permanent crown, you may also be asked to refrain from eating for at least a few hours or even up to a day. 

Root Canal Aftercare

The most challenging part of getting a root canal is the procedure itself. But once that’s done, you can just focus on aftercare and ensuring that there wouldn’t be any problems later on.

While you should continue with your regular brushing and flossing, it’s still advised that you take extra care when you’re brushing around the area where you got the root canal and don’t floss that part for a few days.

It’s normal to experience a bit of soreness which can easily be addressed by over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Conclusion

If you already have a root canal scheduled, it’s important that you ensure that you do what you can so that it doesn’t get infected. By eating only food items that are recommended by your dentist and completely avoiding those that are on the “not to eat” list, you will recover faster, and you’ll reduce the risk of infections. If for any reason, you are feeling that the pain is getting worse instead of better, you should contact your trusted dentist in Edmonton immediately.

Edmonton Smiles is where you’ll find the best dentist in Edmonton who can provide you with all the oral health treatments you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Posted in Dental News & Advice