Root Canal Aftercare: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Hearing the words “root canal” can make anyone a little nervous. But the truth is, this common procedure is a tooth-saving hero. It relieves pain and stops infection in its tracks. At Edgemere Dental, we believe that understanding your recovery is just as important as the procedure itself. Once you leave our chair, your body takes over the healing process, and knowing exactly what to do can make all the difference.

Recovery doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right care, most patients find that the healing period is much smoother than they anticipated. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about navigating the days following your appointment, from managing numbness to protecting your temporary crown.

The First Few Hours: Navigating Numbness

Root canal therapy typically requires one to two appointments. After each visit where an anesthetic is used, it is completely normal for your lips, teeth, and tongue to feel numb for several hours. This lack of sensation can be tricky.

While you are numb, you are at a higher risk of accidentally biting your cheek, lip, or tongue without realizing it until the feeling returns. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you avoid chewing any food on the side of the treated tooth until the numbness has completely worn off. If you are hungry immediately after your appointment, stick to liquids or soft foods like yogurt that don’t require heavy chewing.

Protecting Your Temporary Restoration

To keep your tooth safe between appointments, your dentist will place a temporary filling or crown. Think of this as a “placeholder.” It seals the tooth and keeps bacteria out, but it is not designed to be as durable as your permanent restoration. It needs to be treated with a little extra gentleness.

Don’t be alarmed if a small portion of the temporary filling wears away or breaks off; this is common and usually not a problem. However, if the entire filling falls out or the temporary crown comes completely off, please call our office immediately so we can replace it. Leaving the tooth exposed can lead to re-infection or damage.

To keep your temporary restoration secure, try these tips:

• Skip Sticky Snacks: Chewing gum, taffy, or sticky candies act like glue and can pull the temporary filling right out.
• Avoid Hard Crunches: Steer clear of ice, nuts, hard candy, or crunching on non-food items like pencils or fingernails.
• Chew Wisely: Whenever possible, chew your food on the opposite side of your mouth to reduce pressure on the healing tooth.

Managing Comfort and Discomfort

It is completely normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal therapy appointment. This is often most noticeable when you bite down or chew. Even if your tooth wasn’t hurting before the procedure, the manipulation of the tissues during treatment can cause inflammation and tenderness afterward.

If you feel a dull ache or sensitivity, don’t panic. This is a standard part of the healing process and typically subsides within a few days, though for some patients, it may take a week or two to fully resolve.

Medication Guidelines

• Prescribed Pain Relief: If your dentist prescribed pain medication, take it exactly as directed.
• Over-the-Counter Options: If no prescription was given, over-the-counter medications are highly effective. We recommend ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) to help reduce both pain and inflammation.
• Antibiotics: If antibiotics were prescribed, please take them for the full length of time indicated on the bottle. Even if you feel great and all signs of infection are gone, stopping early can allow the infection to return stronger than before.

Oral Hygiene and Home Remedies

Keeping your mouth clean is essential for healing, but you need to be gentle around the treated area.

• Brush and Floss: Continue to brush and floss your teeth normally. Good hygiene prevents new bacteria from entering the area. Just be careful not to floss too aggressively around the temporary crown, as you don’t want to pop it off.
• Salt Water Rinses: To further reduce pain and swelling, you can use a warm salt water rinse. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Rinse, swish gently, and spit. You can do this three times a day to soothe the gums and keep the area clean.

The Vital Final Step: Your Permanent Crown

Once the root canal is finished, many patients feel so much better that they forget the final step: the permanent crown. However, this step is non-negotiable for the long-term survival of your tooth.

Root canal therapy removes the blood supply to the tooth, which can leave the remaining structure more brittle and prone to fracture. A permanent crown acts like a protective helmet, covering the tooth and shielding it from the intense forces of chewing. Unless otherwise noted by your dentist, it is critical to have a crown placed on your treated tooth as soon as possible. Delaying this final restoration can lead to the tooth cracking, which often results in tooth loss.

When to Call Edgemere Dental

We are here to support you throughout your recovery. While some post-op sensitivity is expected, please contact our office if you experience:

• Discomfort that isn’t controlled by medication.
• Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth.
• An uneven bite once the numbness wears off.
• Your temporary crown or filling falling out completely.

By following these instructions, you are setting the stage for a healthy, pain-free smile. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Edgemere Dental team.

Visit us at our El Paso office:
Edgemere Crossing II
12371 Edgemere Blvd, Suite 206
El Paso, TX 79938

Call or Text Us Today:
915-320-4147