Root Canal

Post-Op Instructions After Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment saves the natural tooth and clears up the source of pain, but a little careful aftercare will help everything heal smoothly. Here is what to know in the days after your appointment.

Managing Discomfort

Some tenderness or mild soreness for a few days after a root canal is completely normal. If we sent you home with prescription pain medication, take it as directed.

For over-the-counter relief, here is what we usually recommend:

Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 400mg to 600mg, which works out to 2 or 3 tablets of 200mg each, every 6 hours as needed for pain.

If ibuprofen does not agree with you or you are allergic to it, regular strength Tylenol can be taken instead, 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed.

You can continue with pain relievers for 3 to 5 days if soreness sticks around. For children under 16, the dosing is different, so please give us a call before giving them any medication.

Your Temporary Filling or Crown

If we placed a temporary filling or crown right after your root canal, try not to chew on that tooth until the permanent restoration is in place. Temporaries are not built to handle full chewing pressure and can crack or come loose.

Eating Comfortably

Stick with softer foods for the first few days to keep pressure off the treated tooth. Yogurt, smoothies (eaten with a spoon), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and warm soups are all easy options that go down well.

Keep Up Your Routine

Brush and floss like normal, just go a little gentler around the treated tooth. If we prescribed an antimicrobial rinse, use it exactly as directed.

Foods to Skip for Now

Hard, crunchy, and sticky foods can damage a temporary filling or crown, so save things like nuts, popcorn, hard candy, caramel, and chewy bread for after your permanent restoration is placed.

Swelling and Tenderness

Some mild swelling is normal in the first day or two. A cold compress applied to the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours can really help calm things down.

Antibiotics and Other Prescriptions

If antibiotics were prescribed, finish the entire course exactly as directed, even if you start feeling better partway through. Use any prescribed mouth rinse as instructed too.

Stay on Track with Follow-Ups

Make sure to come in for your scheduled follow-up appointments. These visits let us check on your healing and plan the next step, which is usually placing a permanent crown or filling to restore your tooth's strength.

A Little Sensitivity Is Normal

You may notice some sensitivity to hot or cold for a while after the procedure. This usually improves gradually over a few days to a few weeks as everything settles down.

When to Call Us

Reach out to Perfect Smile Dental Care right away if you notice intense pain, swelling that gets worse instead of better after a few days, or anything else that does not feel right. We would much rather hear from you early.

Protecting Your Tooth Long-Term

A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle than a healthy tooth and needs to be protected with a permanent crown or filling. We will go over the timing and the best option for your tooth at your follow-up so you can chew normally again with confidence.

A few days of gentle care will set your tooth up for many more years of healthy use. If you have any questions or something feels off during your recovery, the team at Perfect Smile Dental Care is just a phone call away.