{"id":421,"date":"2024-12-04T19:21:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T19:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/?p=421"},"modified":"2025-01-06T19:44:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T19:44:41","slug":"root-canal-aftercare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/04\/root-canal-aftercare\/","title":{"rendered":"Root Canal Aftercare: What Should You Expect?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_173561675__1736172928_32677.jpg\" alt=\"patient undergoing a root canal\" class=\"wp-image-422\" style=\"width:303px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_173561675__1736172928_32677.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_173561675__1736172928_32677-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_173561675__1736172928_32677-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Preparing for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/nonsurgical-root-canals.html\">root canal<\/a> isn\u2019t too bad once your dentist debunks the countless myths claiming this procedure is painful. You know treating your damaged or decayed tooth will not only save it from extraction but also alleviate the discomfort because its source \u2013 the infection \u2013 will be removed. But what can you expect after the procedure is complete? Keep reading to discover what you should and shouldn\u2019t do as well as how soon you\u2019ll feel like your normal self again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Occurrences After a Root Canal: What You Can Expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Immediately following a root canal, it\u2019s natural for the body to become inflamed. This post-operative occurrence is completely normal, as it\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re trying to heal. It can take time to decrease, so don\u2019t expect it to go away after a day or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, some minimal discomfort is expected but can be easily treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also reduce soreness by being mindful about what you eat, as hard foods may not feel good to consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Foods to Eat &amp; Which Ones to Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The rule of thumb when it comes to eating after a root canal is to stick to soft foods initially. Your mouth will be sore, so trying to consume hard, crunchy, or even chewy meals can become uncomfortable and put your affected tooth at risk of further damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing foods to eat, incorporate these into your diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Yogurt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oatmeal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mashed potatoes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooked pasta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Those you should avoid include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hard bread<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tough meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raw fruits and vegetables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Caramel or other sticky\/chewy candies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crackers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips to Make Recovery Easier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure that you recover swiftly and successfully, you can expect your dentist to provide a list of instructions you can follow. These tips will help increase your chances of returning to your normal self much sooner:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not attempt to eat anything while your mouth is numb from anesthesia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take an OTC or prescription medication as directed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue to clean your teeth and gums as normal but be careful when brushing and flossing around the affected tooth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eat soft foods to make consumption easier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not chew on the side of your mouth with the affected tooth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not smoke or use tobacco products, as this slows healing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep any follow-up appointments so that your dentist can examine the treated tooth and make sure it\u2019s healing correctly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By following these instructions and allowing your body to move through the healing process, you can avoid complications and be on your way to enjoying a healthier, natural smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<br><\/strong>Dr. Deborah Bishop graduated from Birmingham Southern College with a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology. She then went on to attend the University of Alabama School of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine. After completing her studies, she attended an endodontic residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Bishop is dedicated to helping her patients retrieve their smiles. If your smile needs saving, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/contact-us.html\">contact us<\/a> at <strong>(256) 882-5161 <\/strong>to learn more about how we can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Preparing for a root canal isn\u2019t too bad once your dentist debunks the countless myths claiming this procedure is painful. You know treating your damaged or decayed tooth will not only save it from extraction but also alleviate the discomfort because its source \u2013 the infection \u2013 will be removed. But what can you expect after the procedure is complete? Keep reading to discover what you should and shouldn\u2019t do as well as how soon [&hellip;] <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dbishopendo.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/04\/root-canal-aftercare\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Root Canal | Post-Op Expectations | Dr. Deborah Bishop<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A root canal can help you out of pain, but what is post-op like? 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