What Can I Eat After A Root Canal?

What Can I Eat After A Root Canal?

Team Endodontics, Food

A root canal treatment is used to remove the infection wreaking havoc inside the pulp area of your tooth. The procedure involves opening up the crown of the tooth in order to expose the root canals to be accessed. Very carefully, your dentist goes through each of them, cleaning and smoothing them out after removing the inflamed pulp. Disinfectant is left behind as the tooth is temporarily sealed so that it has a chance to fully heal before permanently sealing it with a dental crown or filling. 

Healing from a root canal is fairly quick, but it does warrant a few safeguards – especially when it comes to choosing the right foods to eat. 

Foods to Enjoy Freely After Your Root Canal

Immediately following your root canal, you are likely to still be experiencing numbness from the local anesthesia. You should always wait until this wears off before you try to eat anything. 

When the feeling in and around your mouth returns to normal, feel free to indulge in some of these soft and easy-to-eat foods for at least 2 to 3 days following your procedure. 

  • Yogurt 
  • Pudding
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Smoothies
  • Oatmeal
  • Cream of Wheat
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Applesauce
  • Soup
  • Eggs
  • Nut butter
  • Beans and lentils
  • Pancakes
  • Pasta

The idea is to find foods that are soft and don’t require heavy chewing. If you use your imagination you can put together some delicious food combinations. For instance, get creative with your smoothies. 

It is important to note that as you begin to eat, you may notice that the area around the tooth with the root canal may be a little sensitive or your bite may feel a little different. Keep in mind that this is temporary and should only last a day or two. 

Avoid These Foods After Your Root Canal 

After your root canal treatment, your dentist placed a temporary crown over your tooth. This is because the crown of the tooth has a large hole in it and your dentist will want to keep any debris out of it. This temporary solution is not meant to restore your tooth’s functionality entirely – and is prone to breaking. 

To keep your tooth safe until you have a permanent crown or filling, avoid the following foods: 

  • Ice 
  • Nuts
  • Chewing gum
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, crackers, and even apples, raw carrots, celery, and more 
  • Hard or chewy candy
  • Seeds

You may also want to avoid drinking alcohol and consuming sugary soda, too. 

Don’t worry – you won’t have to eat this way forever. You will be back to eating your normal diet after your permanent restoration is in place and has healed. Until then, take precautions to avoid any damage.  

Root Canal Treatment at Koppelman Dental

Root canal treatment can offer you relief from pain by removing any inflammation and infection present within the tooth. To ensure that it is done diligently and thoroughly, you need a dental team with precision and skill. And that is what you will find at Koppelman Dental

To learn more, contact us today at 212-382-3782. Or, request an appointment online.