Caring For Your Root Canal
Your root canal removed the infected tissue inside your tooth and sealed it, ending the pain at its source and saving the tooth. Some tenderness for a few days is normal as the area calms down. Here is how to heal smoothly and protect the result.
The First Few Days
- Wait on the numbness. Avoid chewing until it resolves so you do not bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.
- Tenderness when biting is normal for a few days, sometimes up to a week, as the area settles.
- Stay ahead of soreness with over-the-counter pain relief on schedule.
Protect The Tooth
- Chew on the other side until your permanent filling or crown is placed.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods on that tooth so it does not crack. A treated tooth can be brittle until restored.
Why The Crown Matters
- A root canal and a crown go together. Removing the inside of the tooth leaves it more fragile, and the crown strengthens it and protects it from fracturing.
- Do not delay it. A treated tooth left without its crown is at real risk of cracking, which can mean losing the tooth.
- Keep that appointment as soon as we recommend it.
Call Us If
- Pain or swelling is getting worse after the first few days instead of better.
- Your bite feels high or uneven once numbness wears off. This is a quick adjustment.
- A temporary filling comes out or the tooth feels exposed.
- You develop swelling, a fever, or a bad taste, or anything concerns you.
How To Make Your Root Canal Last
A root-canal-treated tooth can last a long time, but only if it is protected with a proper restoration and kept clean. The tooth can still get decay at the edges even though the inside is treated.
- Get the crown placed on time. This is the biggest factor in whether the tooth survives long term. It protects the tooth from fracturing.
- Brush and floss the area daily, keeping the gum line and edges clean so new decay cannot start.
- Keep your regular checkups so we can confirm the tooth stays healthy and the seal holds.
Protect it with a crown and good habits and this tooth can serve you for many years!
Questions about your root canal or your recovery? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
