Having a root canal can be a massive step in saving your natural tooth. Whilst the procedure itself is now virtually pain free thanks to modern pulp therapy techniques, you want to make sure that you look after your tooth properly to ensure the most successful recovery. Taking proper care after a root canal can help speed up the healing process, reduce any normal pain caused by the inflammation, prevent your temporary restorations from cracking and reduce re-infection by bacteria.

By following these steps you will ensure that your tooth stays strong, pain free and functional for life!

How to Manage Numbness After a Root Canal?

After your root canal you will find that your lip, tongue, cheek and gums will all be numb for between 2 to 4 hours. By looking after this you can reduce the risk of hurting yourself.

  • Don’t Eat Anything Solid – Avoid eating anything solid whilst your mouth is numb. It is extremely easy to accidentally bite your lip, cheek or tongue.
  • Avoid Hot Drinks – Avoid having any hot drinks such as coffee, tea or soup whilst your mouth is numb to stop burning your soft tissues.
  • Soreness from Local Anesthetic – As the anesthetic starts to wear off you may find that you feel some mild soreness around the injection site. You may also feel some mild pain in your jaw joint due to keeping your mouth open.

Pain Relief Tips After Root Canal Treatment

It is normal to feel some mild to moderate pain around your tooth for between 2 to 3 days after your pulp therapy treatment. This is because the ligament around the tip of your root needs time to heal from the infection and instrumentation.

  • Anti-Inflammatory – Over the counter Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen can help to reduce the inflammation around your tooth root.
  • Combination – If NSAIDS aren’t helping to reduce the pain your dentist may suggest taking them alongside acetaminophen. Be sure to speak to your dental team before taking any combination medication.

What Foods Should You Eat After a Root Canal?

Changing what you eat can help to protect your temporary filling or crown whilst your permanent restoration is put in.

  • Eat Soft Foods – Eat soft, easy to chew foods for the first few days. This can include things like yogurt, smooth soups, mashed potato, scrambled egg, porridge, apple sauce and smoothies.
  • Chew On The Other Side – Be sure to chew on the other side of your mouth to reduce any pressure on your tooth.
  • Avoid Hard & Sticky Foods – Avoid eating anything hard such as nuts, ice cubes, hard sweets, crusty bread, popcorn and chewing gum. You should also avoid sticky foods such as caramel as they can cause your temporary fillings to come out.

How to Maintain Oral Hygiene After a Root Canal?

Keeping your mouth clean can help to reduce bacteria and speed up healing of your gum tissues. Try to keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine but be mindful.

  • Brush Twice A Day – Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Be gentle and use small circular motions around your treated tooth to avoid causing any irritation.
  • Floss – Be sure to floss everyday but be mindful around your temporary restorations. Slide your floss between your teeth and carefully pull it out from the side.
  • Salt Water Rinse – To help soothe your inflamed gums you can gently rinse with salt water. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and swish around 3-4 times a day.

When Should You Get Your Permanent Dental Crown?

Once your canals have been cleaned and filled your root canal is only half done! As your tooth no longer has any living tissue there won’t be any moisture inside so over time your natural tooth will become slightly brittle. You will need to get your final restoration to give your tooth full strength.

  • Schedule Your Crown – Be sure to schedule your final restoration (usually a full coverage porcelain/ ceramic crown) within 2 to 4 weeks. Leaving your temporary filling in for too long can cause it to leak, crack and become re-infected.
  • Temporary Restoration – Treat your temporary restoration as a temporary protection. Avoid putting too much pressure on the tooth until your final bespoke crown is in.
  • Core Build Up – If there has been a lot of damage to your tooth your dentist will carry out a core build up. Sometimes they will put a small post into the filled canals to help strengthen the base of your tooth.

How to Protect Your Tooth From Excessive Pressure

Looking after your root canal treated tooth long term can help to avoid cracks and vertical root fractures.

  • Night Grinding – If you suffer from night grinding ask your dentist for a bespoke night guard. This can help to protect your tooth from the intense pressures caused by grinding.
  • Sports Mouth-guard – Always wear a bespoke mouth-guard during contact sports, martial arts or high impact recreational activities.
  • Avoid Bad Habits – Avoid using your teeth to rip open plastic, strip wires, bite your fingernails or crack open nutshells. This causes high pressure on certain areas of your tooth which can cause your natural tooth to crack.

Warning Signs to Watch for After a Root Canal

You will probably feel some mild soreness in the first few days but knowing what to look out for can help you to contact your dental team.

  • Severe Pain – If you are suffering from severe pain that isn’t improving with pain relief or gets worse after a few days contact your dentist.
  • Swelling – If you are suffering from swelling inside your mouth along your gum line or on the outside of your cheek, jaw or neck this could indicate that you are suffering from re-infection.
  • Loose Temporary Filling – If your temporary filling cracks, becomes loose or falls out contact your clinic. They will be able to re-seal your filling to avoid bacteria getting into the disinfected canals.
  • High Bite – If your temporary or permanent restoration feels high when you bite down this will cause excessive pressure on your healing root tip. Your dentist will be able to simply adjust the height.

Root Canal Aftercare Checklist

  • Wait until all the local anesthesia has worn off before trying to eat or have hot drinks.
  • Take over the counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to help with the localized pain.
  • Eat soft foods such as yogurt, soup and egg for the first few days.
  • Chew on the other side of your mouth until your permanent crown is in.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Be gentle.
  • Floss everyday being careful around the treated area. Pull the floss out from the side.
  • Rinse with salt water 3-4 times a day. This will help to soothe your inflamed gums.
  • Book your final appointment to get your permanent crown within 2-4 weeks.
  • Wear a bespoke night guard if you suffer from night grinding.
  • Contact your dentist if you are experiencing severe pain, swelling or a high bite.

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Aftercare

How long does it take for my tooth to heal after a root canal?

Most people will find that the initial pain reduces after 2-3 days. Complete healing of the jaw bone and ligaments around the tip of your root can take several weeks but you should be able to go about your daily activities almost straight away.

Can I brush my teeth on the same day as my root canal?

Yes you can and should brush your teeth on the same day. Keeping your oral hygiene up will help to keep the bacteria levels low. Just use a soft bristled brush and avoid rubbing harshly around your tooth. Be careful when flossing around your temporary fillings.

What should I do if my temporary filling comes out?

If your temporary filling comes out contact your dental practice straight away. The temporary filling is there to protect your tooth from becoming re-contaminated by saliva and bacteria. Your dentist will quickly clean the area and put a new temporary seal in.

Will my tooth hurt when I bite down after a root canal?

It is completely normal to feel some mild pain when biting down on the first few days as your ligament is healing. If you are still experiencing sharp pain after a week or your tooth feels higher than your other teeth then your restoration may need adjusting.