Root canal aftercare is mostly about protecting the tooth while it settles. Some tenderness for a few days is normal (AAE), and mild tenderness can last a week or two (CDA). Wait until the numbness wears off before eating, chew on the other side, and take pain relievers as directed. Brush and floss gently, and book your crown or final filling when your dentist advises. Call us if severe pain lasts more than a few days, you notice swelling, or your temporary filling comes out.
Your dentist’s own instructions come first, since every tooth is different. Here is what to expect after root canal treatment in Calgary NE and how to look after the tooth at home.
What is normal after a root canal?
As the freezing (local anesthetic) wears off, the area may feel tender for a few days. Your jaw may also feel sore from keeping your mouth open during the visit. These symptoms usually respond well to over-the-counter pain medicine (AAE).
Bad pain or swelling are not common after a root canal (CDA). If you have either, call your dentist.
8 root canal aftercare tips
1. Wait for the numbness to wear off before eating
Your lip, tongue and cheek may stay numb for a few hours, and eating while numb makes it easy to bite them by accident. Avoid chewing, hot or cold drinks and smoking for at least the first hour (AAE).
2. Chew on the other side until the tooth is restored
A tooth with a temporary filling is not ready for full chewing force. Do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until your dentist has restored it (AAE).
3. Choose soft foods for the first few days
Soft foods are easier on a tender tooth. Good choices include soup, yogurt, eggs, oatmeal, rice, and well-cooked dal or vegetables. Skip hard foods like nuts and ice, and sticky foods like toffee or gum, which can pull at a temporary filling.
4. Use pain relief as directed
Over-the-counter pain relievers usually ease the tenderness. Take them as your dentist directs and as the label says. Ask a pharmacist, doctor or dentist which option is safe for you, especially if you are pregnant, have allergies, take other medicines or have a health condition. Stronger prescription pain medicine can cause drowsiness, so take care with driving or operating machinery (AAE). If you were given antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.
5. Keep brushing and flossing, gently
You can brush and floss as usual, but be gentle around the treated tooth (AAE). When flossing next to a temporary filling, slide the floss out to the side instead of pulling it up.
6. Protect the temporary filling
A temporary filling seals the tooth until the final restoration. It is not as strong as a permanent filling, and it is normal for a thin layer to wear away between visits. If you think the whole filling has come out, or the tooth feels broken, call us so the tooth can be checked (AAE).
7. Book your crown or final filling on time
The final restoration protects the treated tooth, and a back tooth will likely need a crown (CDA). A delayed crown, or a restoration that lets saliva in, is one reason a treated tooth may not heal (AAE). Learn more about dental crowns.
8. Keep up checkups and protect the tooth long term
A tooth with a root canal can still get decay or gum disease (CDA). Brush twice a day, floss daily and keep your regular checkups. If you clench or grind your teeth, ask about a night guard.
Aftercare for children
A damaged baby tooth may be treated with a pulpotomy, which removes the upper part of the nerve so the part in the root stays healthy (Alberta Dental Association). Your dentist will give aftercare instructions for your child, and those come first. In general, watch that your child does not bite or chew on a numb lip or cheek, offer soft foods while the area is tender, and help with gentle brushing. Our guide to post-treatment care for children has more detail.
How long does root canal recovery take?
Tenderness usually eases over a few days (AAE), though some people notice mild tenderness for up to a week or two (CDA). Pain that gets worse instead of better is a reason to call. A properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth (AAE).
To learn what can go wrong and how it is handled, read our guide to root canal complications. If you are still planning treatment, our root canal cost guide covers suggested fees, insurance and CDCP.
When to call us
Call 403-345-1110 if you notice any of these after a root canal (AAE):
- Severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days
- Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth
- A rash, hives or itching after taking medicine
- A bite that feels uneven
- A temporary filling or crown that comes out
- The symptoms you had before treatment coming back
We offer same-day emergency appointments when possible, and we are open evenings and weekends. Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. If swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, or comes with a fever, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Outside clinic hours, call Health Link 811 for 24/7 advice from a registered nurse.
Root canal aftercare FAQ
Tenderness for a few days is common, and mild tenderness can last a week or two. Severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days is not typical, so call your dentist.
Wait until the numbness wears off, and avoid chewing for at least the first hour. Then choose soft foods and chew on the other side until the tooth is restored.
Yes. Brush and floss as usual, but be gentle around the treated tooth and the temporary filling.
Call your dentist so the tooth can be checked and resealed. Until then, keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side.
Book it as soon as your dentist advises. A delayed crown is one reason a treated tooth may not heal, and a back tooth will likely need a crown to protect it from chewing forces.
Questions during recovery are always welcome. Learn about root canal treatment at The Port Dental Clinic, then book online or call 403-345-1110.
