Root canal aftercare: what to expect

The first few hours

The numbing medicine used during your visit can last for several hours. While your mouth is numb, wait to eat and avoid very hot drinks. It is easy to bite your cheek, lip or tongue, or burn yourself, without feeling it. It helps to eat a good meal before your appointment so you are not hungry while you wait.

Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. Hard exercise and contact sports are better saved for another day, especially if you have a temporary filling or crown on the tooth.

Tenderness is normal

Once the numbness fades, mild to moderate tenderness for a few days is common. The tooth has been through a lot, and the tissue around its root can be sore while it settles. You may also notice some sensitivity when you bite down.

An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen often takes care of it, if it is safe for you and you follow the label. Your dentist may give you specific advice for your situation, so follow that first. The soreness should ease a little each day.

Eating and drinking

Start with soft foods once the numbness is gone, such as applesauce, yogurt or mashed potatoes. Stick with room temperature foods and drinks for the first day, since very hot or very cold items can set off sensitivity.

Avoid hard, chewy and sticky foods for the first few days, and try to chew on the other side of your mouth. When the tooth feels comfortable and your dentist says it is fine, you can slowly go back to your normal diet.

Keeping the tooth clean

Keep brushing and flossing as usual, just more gently around the treated tooth. Use a soft toothbrush and slide the floss in carefully rather than snapping it down. A clean mouth lowers the chance of a new infection.

Do not skip the follow-up visit

Many root canal teeth leave the first visit with a temporary filling or crown. That temporary covering is not meant to last. The tooth still needs a permanent restoration, often a dental crown, to protect it from cracking and to keep bacteria out. Your dentist will also check that you are healing well and that there is no sign of infection.

To learn more about the treatment itself, see our page on root canal treatment.

When to call us

Reach out to your dentist if the pain is severe, gets worse instead of better, or does not settle after several days. Swelling, a fever, or a bite that feels high or uneven are also worth a call. These are not common, but they are easy to address when caught early. If you have sudden, serious pain, our emergency dentistry page explains how we can help.