A root canal is very common; almost everyone has to undergo this procedure once in a lifetime.
If it is your first experience with root canal treatment, then you may have multiple questions in your mind that you were not able to ask your dentist.
One of the most common questions that come to mind is that can you eat after a root canal. So to answer this question here, I will tell you what you can eat after a root canal treatment and which diet is suitable for this.
You may also read: Can You Share A Waterpik?
Can you eat after a root canal?
Yes, of course, you can eat after a root canal, but you have to wait for 2 to 3 hours for your safety because the food may get into the open hole if there is no filling or temporary crown and cause irritation.
You can eat after 30 to 45 minutes of a root canal, but many dentists recommend waiting for a few hours because your teeth and gums are still numb.
Not eating immediately after a root canal treatment is extremely important because your tongue is numb. You may bite your cheeks or tongue, which may not feel painful, but when the anesthesia wears off, you will start to feel a burning sensation. Also, if your food is too hot, your mouth will burn, and you will not even feel it. If you are with braces and confused about eating, you can see our guide about whether can you eat steak with braces.
After root canal treatment, you may have a temporary filling that can get damaged by eating immediately after treatment.
In some cases, after root canal treatment dentist will place a cap on the teeth to protect them until the permanent crown is ready.
If you are interested in knowing about root canal treatment in detail, look at How To Kill A Tooth Nerve – Root Canal Therapy Permanently.
What To Eat After A Root Canal?
If you are unsure about what to eat after a root canal and what is safe for you, then here I am going to discuss some safe foods for you to eat after a root canal. You can list these foods and eat them while recovering from the root canal.
The list of food you can eat after a root canal is wide, and you can choose your favorite from it. Make sure to keep in mind the nutritional requirements, as it will help in the quick recovery of the body.
You may also see our blog: Can You Eat Popcorn With Braces?
Carbohydrates Rich Foods
Eating some carbohydrates after a root canal treatment is always a good option as they provide energy to the body. You can eat macaroni, cheesecake, pancake, and thin pasta. If you want some healthy options, you can go for oatmeal brown rice and whole wheat. Avoid spicy food, but if it tastes too bland, add a little spice to it.
Dairy Rich Foods
Some people have lactose tolerance, so dairy-rich foods are not good for them, while if you are not lactose intolerant, you can go for dairy products.
Everyone likes ice cream, and it is one of the recommended food to eat after a root canal treatment. It is cold and helps in preventing bleeding.
Ice cream is good for eating on the first day after a few hours of root canal treatment. After 6 to 12 hours, you can eat scrambled eggs. This will also provide you with some protein. Just make sure to eat soft food and do not go for crunchy foods.
Vegetable
After fulfilling your need for dairy and carbohydrates, you must not miss fiber and eat some vegetables. Vegetables have several health benefits, which include strengthening the immune system and fighting bacteria.
Just make sure not to eat crunchy vegetables like carrots or radishes. Eat soft vegetables or cook them.
Fruits
Last but not least, you can also take soft fruits. Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can help heal wounds quickly and benefit your overall health. Fruits can eat fruits after a root canal treatment: bananas, mango and peach.
Make sure to cut the fruit into small pieces and don’t bite on it. also, you can go for a fruit smoothie, and you can add different seeds to it to make it more nutritious
Don’t eat hard and crunchy foods like apples, as they can adversely affect oral health.
Which Foods You Must Avoid After Root Canal?
Immediately after the root canal, you can’t eat everything. You have to avoid some foods
Going for hard and chewy foods immediately after a root canal is never a good idea. Don’t go for foods like nuts and seeds or candies. These foods are healthy but can be harmful to your oral health.
Also, make sure to avoid extremely hot or cold food and drinks. You may experience some dentine hypersensitivity immediately after the treatment, which will go away with time. If you eat extremely hot or cold food, you will experience much pain because of sensitivity.
A dentist is placing a temporary Crown until your permanent one is fabricated. In that case, you must avoid this type of food because it can damage your temporary crown and increase the risk of infection.
Your dentist will advise you to refrain from eating with the help of a temporary crown. You have to make sure that you are following the dentist’s advice. Otherwise, you will have to suffer from pain.
Some Other Tips And Tricks For Root Canal
You may experience a little postoperative soreness, and it is common. You can control this with the help of over-the-counter pain medications. Your dentist will also give you some other recommendations, such as
- Brush your teeth normally to maintain good oral hygiene but avoid brushing immediately after root canal treatment
- Do not use floss on a temporary crown
- You can also gargle with hot salt water three times a day, as it will help in reducing inflammation
- If you are dentist has prescribed you any medication, then make sure to take it on time
Read Also: Dental Crown Cost?
FAQs
Can I drive after a root canal?
You can continue your normal function after a root canal but try to avoid driving because, due to anesthesia, you may feel a little dizzy.
After root canal treatment, for how long will I feel pain?
After root canal treatment, you may feel pain irritation for 48 to 72 hours. Your dentist will recommend painkillers for this. Make sure to take those to reduce pain.
Conclusion
A root canal is an invasive procedure and may result in pain and irritation.
Anesthesia is given before the root canal procedure, so you may feel a little dizzy and want to eat something immediately and may question, Can you eat after a root canal?
You can eat after the root canal but wait for 30 to 45 minutes.
