What Can I Eat After A Root Canal?
A root canal is a major dental procedure that will require patients to make some adjustments to their diet and schedule in the first days of their recovery.
If you’re about to get a root canal or have recently treated an infected tooth, you probably have lots of questions about what you can eat, since the dentist told you to stay away from hard foods for a while.
Keep on reading to find out what to add to your diet after a root canal procedure!
Best Foods to Eat After a Root Canal
During the procedure and a bit after, you won’t feel any pain, thanks to the anesthetic or sedative. However, once these effects wear off, it’s very common to experience a bit of pain and swelling.
Your body is essentially healing, and to support this process you should be eating softer foods that don’t require lots of chewing and eat on the other side of the mouth.
Some foods you can enjoy include:
- Mashed vegetables
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurts
- Smoothies
- Icecream
- Soups and stews
- Boiled veggies
- Soft cheeses (like cottage cheese)
- Soft bread (avoid crusts)
- Rice or couscous, etc.
Any foods that you can easily break down without needing to apply lots of pressure are perfect to enjoy after your root canal procedure.
The great news is that you don’t have to make these changes for a long time. Most patients can begin to add harder foods into their diets a few days after their procedure. However, you should continue to eat on the other side of your mouth, as the treated tooth might still feel tender.
Foods to Avoid after a Root Canal
Usually, if you’ve had a root canal you should say no to foods like:
- “Chewy” foods like steaks
- Sticky foods like taffy or caramels
- Hard foods like nuts, chips, or crackers
All these foods can either be uncomfortable to eat (such as hard or chewy foods) or affect your healing process. For example, sticky foods can dislodge your temporary crown or can increase your risk for complications if you’re indulging in something sweet like caramel. They stick to the teeth and don’t go away unless you brush your teeth right after.
Other Root Canal Aftercare Tips
- Brush your teeth two times a day at least, and floss once
- Rest for 1-2 days after your procedure
- Take OTC pain medication like ibuprofen
- Put a cold compress on your cheek to control pain and swelling
- Monitor your symptoms and contact your destiny if you notice anything wrong
Dealing with an Infected Tooth?
If you suspect one of your teeth might be infected, Dr. Todd Pizzi can perform a root canal procedure to remove all infected tissue and potentially prevent permanent tooth loss. Book an appointment at Del Mar Dental Studio online, or call us at (858) 755-0187 for emergency dental care.
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