Thank you for trusting us with your dental care. To promote proper healing and ensure the long-term success of your root canal please review and follow the instructions below.
When to call us
It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after a root canal. However, please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Pain or swelling that develops or worsens after 24 hours.
- Any allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, breathing difficulty) to medication.
- Pain when biting or the feeling that your bite is “off” after the anesthetic wears off — this may indicate a high bite, which means your restoration is sitting too high. This needs to be corrected promptly to avoid damaging the tooth or nerve. The adjustment is quick (under 10 minutes) and should be done as soon as possible.
- Signs of a flare-up (see below for more information on flare-ups).
After Care Instructions
While Numb
- Do not eat or drink until the anesthetic has fully worn off to prevent accidental injury to your lips, cheek, or tongue.
Eating Guidelines
- For the first 24 hours, avoid chewing on the treated tooth.
- Stick to soft food (e.g., soups, eggs, yogurt, pasta) for the rest of the day, or until you feel comfortable returning to your normal diet.
- To protect your restoration long term, avoid hard or sticky foods (ice, nuts, pretzels, hard candies, caramels, taffy, gum, etc.)
Brushing & Flossing
- You may brush and floss normally around the restoration unless instructed otherwise.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to extend the life of the restoration and keep the surrounding gum tissue and teeth healthy.
What to Expect After Treatment
Some mild soreness or sensitivity is normal for a few days after placement. Possible reasons for discomfort include:
- Jaw soreness from keeping your mouth open during the procedure
- Injection site tenderness
- Pain when biting due to a high bite, which can and should be adjusted quickly by the dentist
Pain Management and Medications
To manage discomfort:
- Use over the counter pain medication. We recommend taking two tablets of Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin 200mg) with two tablets of Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol 500mg) together, unless you have a medical condition or allergy that prevents this.
- Take pain relievers before the anesthetic wears off, or as recommended.
- To ease a tender injection site you can rinse gently with warm salt water (1 tsp salt in 8 oz of warm water) up to 3 times a day.
If antibiotics were prescribed, take the full course as directed – even if you feel better before the medication is finished.
Flare-Up
Although most root canals heal with little to no discomfort, about 5% of cases may experience a flare-up, typically shortly after treatment.
Signs of a flare-up may include:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Swelling (can be noticeable or large – up to the size of a golf ball)
- Throbbing, bruising, or general discomfort
- These symptoms can last 2-3 days
Flare-ups are more likely in teeth that were:
- Badly infected
- Previously treated
- Extremely inflamed
However, they can happen even without those risk factors. If you think you may be having a flare-up, please call our office immediately.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’re here to support your healing and continued dental health.
