Root canal treatment focuses on the nerves of the teeth to save your natural dentition. Teeth nerves become inflamed due to bacteria associated with dental trauma, deep rot, cracks, and debris.
If you have a sensitivity to hot or cold temperature, spontaneous or pulsatile pain, you may need to consult your dentist in Newport Beach for a root canal treatment.
The healing period after root canal surgery is not what most people say is fun. Still, it is essential to follow the dentist’s after-treatment care instructions to protect sensitive teeth and restore them.
Until root canal surgery is completed and permanent fillings or crowns are secured, it is wise to minimize chewing of the teeth being repaired. After the numbness disappears, you can eat immediately.
Have you had the root canal lately? Read these guidelines to learn what to eat after root canal treatment and what foods to avoid.
Root canal therapy
When bacteria invades and infect the pulp in your teeth, your dentist in Newport Beach recommends root canal treatment.
According to the National Health Service, infections can cause tooth pain, swelling of the face and gums, and eventually discoloration of the teeth. To cure the disease, your dentist will remove the bacteria and the rotten parts of the tooth, fill the crack with a dental material, and then repair the tooth with a dental filling or crown.
Soon after the surgery and for the next few days, eat foods that do not damage your teeth or cause sensitivity to your teeth to ensure the best results.
What to eat after root canal
Soft food is the best choice to avoid irritation and treat sensitive areas. According to the American Association of Dental Colleges (AAE), before you could eat something wait until the anesthetic has been taken. It can save you from accidentally biting the inside of your mouth.
Some soft foods recommended by the American Dental Association for patients recovering from dental treatment include:
- Oatmeal or wheat cream made with milk to provide more nutrition
- Warm vegetable soup can be made into a puree or soft vegetables
- Cutlets, scrambled eggs or protein omelet
- Banana puree as a healthy snack
- Avocado or tofu served with sweet and salty snacks
- Pasta or other types of noodles if you need stuffing
What to avoid after root canal
Avoid sticky and hard foods after the root canal, as these foods may pull the temporary crown away from the teeth or rupture the restoration. The University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Dentistry explains that chewing sticky food can cause temporary crowns to fall off.
Also, the National Institutes of Health states that hard candy and ice can rupture porcelain crowns. If your teeth still have nerves behind the root canal, they can be particularly tender and sensitive, so it’s essential to keep food and drinks at a mild temperature.
Here are some foods to avoid:
- Toffees, chewing gum, and candies, as they are sticky and may shift crowns
- Hard candy that may crack your new restoration
- Ice cubes that may cause sensitivity and are too hard and too cold to restore teeth
- Hot soup as extreme temperatures can cause discomfort when touching sensitive teeth
- Drinks that are too cold or hot may cause tooth sensitivity
Care after root canal treatment
According to AAE, the sensitivity after root canal treatment may last a few days, but you can follow the dentist’s post-care guidelines to avoid problems.
The dentist in Newport Beach and those at the University of Illinois at Chicago say that if your gums are soft, you should take an over-the-counter painkiller or rinse with warm saline.
It would be best if you also continued to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day as usual-but be careful using floss around the treated teeth and avoid pulling the floss up near the crown.
For healthy and fully restored teeth, it is worth it to endure some discomfort and inconvenience.
When did the last time you had a root canal surgery? Make sure you follow the above instructions to ensure good oral health and better oral hygiene. Your smile will thank you later.