Root canals have become a relatively straightforward procedure. It is an outpatient dental procedure that will target an injured or dead tooth and extract all the pulp and damaged nerve endings from within that given tooth. Thanks to technological improvements, the hole needed to make an incision into the tooth and extract the tooth’s innards can be smaller than ever before.
Of course, even with that said, your tooth, and the surrounding gums, will experience some level of inflammation due to the localized trauma. You should be fine in a matter of a few days, but immediately following the procedure, you will have a level of discomfort.
This level of discomfort can be elevated if you eat the wrong kind of food. When talking with your dentist or endodontist, they will go over what you should eat and what you need to avoid. However, if you are planning and want to stock your fridge with food, buy ahead of time.
So, whether you have asked your dentist, “What can I eat after a root canal,” or you’re simply being proactive, here are some foods you can have to help avoid any unnecessary discomfort.
Cold and Soft
Different individuals will interact with the temperature of their food differently following a root canal. Some individuals will experience some level of discomfort when eating something warm, while others might feel something when dealing with something cold. Most, however, will be just fine, which is why it is a good idea to have a few items of both temperature foods on hand, just to be safe.
The food you will want to consume for several days following a root canal is similar to foods you might eat after having your tonsils out or a tooth removed. For starters, colder foods, like yogurts, smoothies, or ice cream, are generally acceptable. If you do opt for ice cream, choose something softer and not one of those extremely hard blocks of ice cream. Gelatos are great as well, as these are usually creamier and less rock-hard than some ice creams.
Along the same line, milkshakes can be fine, so if you’re craving one of those fast-food milkshakes on the drive back from the procedure, by all means, treat yourself. After all, if you can’t treat yourself after having some kind of medical procedure performed, when can you?
Warmer Foods
Having some warm foods that don’t require much chewing is another fantastic option to have on hand. Soups are some of the best foods, as you can purchase canned soups or make a big pot of soup yourself. Mashed potatoes are another option. You might be against going for instant mashed potatoes during the holidays, but following your procedure, having a box of instant potatoes on hand is a fine option. It is easy to make, done quickly, and you can consume the food without any real chewing.
Healthy Food Alternatives
So perhaps you’re not really in the mood to flood your diet with milkshakes and mashed potatoes. If you are on a strict diet, or at the very least counting your calories, you may want to skip out on consuming massive caloric food bombs. Thankfully, there are plenty of other healthy options to consider.
Soft foods like eggs and bananas are good options. There are other soft fruits you might want to eat, like mangos or berries. These are softer and don’t require much effort to bite into or chew. Firmer fruits like apples or hard pears might not be the best, primarily if your root canal was performed on a tooth on the front of your mouth.
You can eat packaged bread as well. Bakery bread will likely be a little too hard and crunch for your teeth following the root canal, but if you stick with Wonder bread or something soft, you should be just fine.
Other foods you can consider include applesauce or pudding. Jello is another fantastic option. Basically, you can relieve some of your favorite childhood foods at this time. There may be some foods you haven’t had in a while, and you’ve forgotten how much you enjoy them. These foods are often sold in little cups, which make them perfect for picking up from the store. You don’t have to do any work preparing the food. Just pop it out of the fridge and eat (it is also great if you need to return to work but you’re still feeling some discomfort).
Protein shakes are good options as well. Most protein at this time will be difficult to consume as it comes in meat form. Thankfully, with eggs and protein drinks, you can still maintain your level of protein intake without any kind of discomfort.
In short, just about anything that is soft and doesn’t provide resistance against your teeth will be an acceptable option to eat following a root canal.
Schedule Your Endodontic Consultation Today
If you need a root canal, scheduling a consultation with an endodontist is a good idea. These dental professionals specialize in your teeth’s internal health. Endodontists have the latest technology and equipment, which will speed up your healing time and significantly reduce the potential of needing a second root canal.
Additionally, if you are experiencing extended pain well after an initial root canal or if your current dentist has recommended you seek out an endodontist, the team here at Southern Endodontic Specialists is here to assist you and to ensure you receive the highest level of care possible.
So, whether you’re simply looking for questions answered or ready to schedule an in-person consultation and diagnosis, now is the time to contact Southern Endodontic Specialists at your earliest convenience.