Root canal treatment is a procedure in which the structure of the natural tooth is salvaged by removing the infected pulp. The pulp is the tissue that is in the root canal of the tooth that is made up of nerves and blood vessels. If left untreated, the infection will spread, which may mean that extraction is the only option.
The team at Afroz Burges, D.D.S, P.A. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry prefers to do everything we can to save your natural teeth. Therefore, when you have pain or sensitivity, we recommend that you schedule a consultation right away so that we can determine the best course of treatment.
If this procedure becomes necessary, Dr. Burges will provide you with explicit aftercare instructions to follow. It’s important to follow these instructions to avoid complications. In addition, it’s important that you know what you should eat and what you should avoid after endodontic therapy.
When you have root canal therapy at Afroz Burges, D.D.S., P.A., Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, you will be given local anesthesia to numb the area. The anesthesia usually takes a few hours to wear off.
Therefore, in order to avoid soft tissue injury or damage to the restoration, it’s important to follow some guidelines regarding what you should and should not eat following root canal treatment. In order to keep the affected tooth free from food particles and bacteria, you should brush and floss as you normally do.
You should avoid eating and drinking as much as possible following root canal treatment until the anesthesia has worn off. This will help to prevent soft tissue injury and damage to the restoration. Once the anesthesia has worn off, you can eat soft dairy-based foods such as cottage cheese, yogurt, and soft cheeses.
You may also eat soft fruits and veggies such as mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, smoothies, applesauce, mangoes, pureed soups, bananas, ripe pears, and avocados.
You will also need proteins to stay nourished. Protein options can include legumes, tofu, hummus, canned chicken/tuna, meatloaf, and eggs. In addition, you can satisfy your need for grains with foods like pasta, cream of wheat, quinoa, and oatmeal.
On the other hand, there are some foods that should be avoided following root canal treatment, as they may trigger sensitivity in the surrounding area or compromise the temporary filling or crown. Over time, you may gradually bring these foods back into your diet once the permanent crown has been placed.
Avoid foods that are extremely hot or cold, as these can cause sensitive teeth to become irritated. In addition, avoid sticky, hard, crunchy, and chewy foods as these can cause the temporary restoration to come off.
After the permanent crown or filling has been placed, you may revert back to your typical diet. However, it’s important to avoid foods that may cause damage to the restoration. If the tooth feels tender after eating certain foods, stop eating it and try again later. If you continue to have sensitivity and tenderness after a week or more, contact the office to eliminate the infection.
In addition to making some adjustments to your diet, you’ll want to follow the aftercare instructions provided. Some of these instructions may include:
If you are prescribed antibiotics, it’s important to take them as prescribed. This will reduce the risk of tooth infection following the procedure. Pain and soreness are common after root canal treatment. This can typically be mitigated with OTC pain relievers - but you may also be given a prescription pain reliever if needed.
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When you undergo root canal treatment, it’s important to follow aftercare instructions carefully to promote healing. This includes knowing what you should and should not eat following the procedure.
As a general rule, once the anesthesia wears off, you can start with soft foods and work your way back to your normal diet. If you have any questions or concerns following root canal treatment at Afroz Burges, D.D.S., P.A., Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Pearland, TX, please let us know.
