Root canal aftercare

Sensitivity in the area: to be expected

It's normal to feel some sensitivity or mild discomfort in the treated tooth and the surrounding tissue. This eases within a few days. If the pain is severe or gets worse after 72 hours, let us know.

Don't chew on the treated side

Until the tooth has its permanent restoration, it's more fragile than usual, and chewing on it can fracture it. Use the other side until it's fully restored.

Painkillers if there's discomfort

You can take the painkiller you normally use (or the one we recommended at your appointment). Don't wait for the discomfort to get intense — it works better when taken preventively in the first few hours.

Brush as usual, gently around the area

You can keep brushing normally. If the area is sensitive, be gentle. There's no need to avoid the tooth — on the contrary, keeping it clean helps it recover.

Avoid very hard or sticky foods

Hard candy, ice, very crusty bread, gum — anything that takes force or could loosen the temporary filling. Until the tooth has its permanent crown, treat it with care.

Finish the treatment on schedule

A root canal isn't finished until the tooth has its final restoration. Delaying the restoration increases the risk of fracture or of the area becoming reinfected. Don't put it off longer than necessary.