Caring for Your Smile After a Root Canal

You did it! The hardest part of your root canal is officially over. While the word “root canal” might sound a bit intimidating, the procedure is actually designed to stop your toothache and save your natural tooth. Now that you’re headed home, the goal is to keep that tooth safe and help your mouth heal quickly.

Here is a simple guide on what to expect and how to handle the next few days.

What to Do When the Numbness Wears Off

For the first few hours, your mouth will likely feel quite numb. It is essential to avoid eating or drinking hot liquids until the freezing has completely worn off. Since you can’t feel your cheek or tongue, it is very easy to accidentally bite yourself or burn your mouth without realizing it.

Managing Discomfort

It is normal for the area around the tooth to feel a little tender or “bruised” for a few days. This happens because the tissues around the root were inflamed and need time to calm down.

Over-the-counter relief

Most patients find that standard pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) work well.

Follow the label

Always follow the directions on the bottle or the specific advice given to you by the dental team before you leave.

Eating and Drinking

Until your permanent filling or crown is placed, your tooth is a bit more fragile than usual.

Stick to soft foods

pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, or smoothies for the first day or two.

Avoid the "Crunch"

Try not to chew directly on the treated tooth. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods (like carrots, nuts, or taffy) that could crack the temporary seal.

Keeping It Clean

You can—and should—keep brushing and flossing! Just be very gentle around the treated area. If a temporary filling was used, be careful not to “pop” it out when flossing; instead of pulling the floss up, try sliding it out sideways through the gap.

When to Give Us a Shout

Most people feel back to normal within a few days. However, you should contact our team right away if you experience:

Severe swelling inside or outside your mouth

An uneven bite (it feels like the tooth is hitting “high” when you close your mouth).

The temporary filling falls out completely.

Pain that worsens rather than improves after 48 hours.