After Root Canal Treatment: Care Instructions
1. Numbness & Eating
Your mouth may stay numb for 2–4 hours.
Do not eat until numbness wears off to avoid biting your cheek or tongue.
Start with soft foods (soups, yogurt, rice, eggs).
2. Pain & Discomfort
Mild soreness or tenderness is normal for a few days.
Take pain medicine only as prescribed or recommended by your dentist.
Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it feels comfortable.
3. Swelling
Slight swelling is normal.
Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) for the first 24 hours.
4. Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss normally, but be gentle around the treated tooth.
Keep the area clean to help healing.
5. Temporary Filling or Crown
If you have a temporary filling or crown, avoid:
Hard foods
Sticky foods (gum, candy)
Return for your permanent crown if advised—this is important to prevent the tooth from breaking.
6. Avoid These
Chewing ice, nuts, or hard candy
Smoking or using tobacco (slows healing)
Touching the area with fingers or tongue
7. When to Call the Dentist
Contact your dentist if you notice:
Severe pain that lasts more than a few days
Swelling that increases
Fever
A bad taste or discharge
The filling or crown falls out
