One of the most common dental procedures in today’s world is a root canal. People are still afraid of it and avoid it for as long as they can. If you are one of such people, then you should know about how it benefits you. In case you are going for this treatment, and you are wondering how to help yourself recover from this treatment at a fast pace, then read on. Here we have mentioned a few tips on what to eat and avoid after a root canal.
What is Root Canal and How it Helps?
A root canal is a dental treatment that helps a person to get rid of a dental infection. It is a long-running treatment in which you might need to visit a dentist multiple times with a gap of a few days between each of the sessions. This treatment is useful because it helps clear any decay and infection you might be facing. It also creates a smooth and evenly shaped canal that cannot harbor any bacteria. The process involves refilling the canal with a barrier and then sealing the top of the tooth/teeth with a long-lasting crown that helps avoid cavities.
What to Eat After a Root Canal?
If you are undergoing a root canal treatment or have undergone one recently, dentists strongly recommend that you stick to soft foods that can allow your mouth to recover and don’t need much effort to chew or swallow.
Some of the foods you can enjoy are
- Smoothies or scrambled eggs or yogurt in breakfast
- Cooked, canned, or ripe fruits as a snack
- Meatloaf, shredded meat, or mashed potatoes for lunch
- Cooked vegetables with hummus or vegetable soup as a snack
- Pasta, quinoa, noodles, and couscous for the substance or as dinner
- Soft bread if you want to have something light as the final meal of the day
- Frozen yogurt if you want a healthy dessert
When to Eat After a Root Canal?
Timing matters after a root canal treatment. It is strongly recommended that you avoid eating until the numbness from the anesthetic has disappeared completely. Doing so will ensure that you don’t accidentally bite an area that hasn’t regained sensation yet.
What to Avoid After a Root Canal?
If you have undergone a root canal recently and you want to know what to avoid after a root canal, then here’s a list that might help
- Skip sticky and hard foods like gum or candy that might hurt your mouth
- Avoid foods/drinks that are too hot or too cold
- Always have foods at room temperature
Dental Hygiene After a Root Canal
It is also essential to maintain dental hygiene after a root canal. You need to return to the routine of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing them once. Just make sure that you don’t pull the floss up near the crown or temporary filling, as you might accidentally pull them out too. In case you have soreness or discomfort in the area, add rinsing with lukewarm water to your dental hygiene routine. You can also ask the dentist for over-the-counter medications if the problem/discomfort doesn’t go away.
Final Words
All in all, it can be seen that choosing what to eat and avoid after a root canal is easy. If you listen to your dentist and follow the tips mentioned above, root canal recovery would be fine. To know more about maintaining excellent dental health, connect with Dr. Rudy today!
References
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/root-canals/heres-what-to-eat-after-a-root-canal
https://www.marsfielddentalcare.com.au/eating-root-canal-therapy/