What foods to eat after root canal therapy – 10 FAQs
Once we finish our root canal treatment, our stomach starts to growl sooner or later wanting to be refueled and begin to think about what to eat after root canal therapy?, But before putting anything down your throat, you need to consider a few things.
The root canal treatment cleans the tooth from the inside clearing out dead pulp and replacing it with a strong filling material to repair the tooth. After which your tooth is sealed and secured with a crown (cap) and it continues to function normally, free from decay.
But the most common question asked after the surgery is, “What can I eat?” Answer: “Only soft and cold food!”
What foods to eat and drink after my Root Canal therapy
Even after hours of the root canal treatment, your mouth remains numb from the anesthesia. And this is the reason you have to be careful while eating so that you don’t accidentally bite on something that might cause you pain or irritation.
Consider the following, before eating anything after your root canal treatment
- Eat on the opposite of the treated tooth
- Eat slowly
- Eat only soft food that requires less chewing
- Avoid hot foods or drinks like soups, coffee, etc.
What You can eat after root canal therapy?
- Fruits including banana, mango, papaya, peaches, fruit smoothies.
- Ice-creams, yogurt, milkshakes, etc. free from nuts.
- Mashed vegetables like potatoes.
- Oatmeal and soft cereals
You can have foods like oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt immediately after the surgery – they will help soothe the area of your mouth where the treatment has been done.
What NOT to eat and drink after root canal therapy
Once your root canal therapy is complete, you have to be careful not to tease and cause irritation to that part of your mouth that has gone under the drill. Eating wrong could increase the chance of breaking or damaging the tooth, which would lead to further complications and the possibility of additional dental treatments.
Avoid the following eatables/drinks after your root canal therapy
- Crunchy foods like carrots and apples, could damage the tooth and cause pain.
- Hard foods such as nuts
- Chewy foods like gum and candy which could pull out the temporary filling.
- Excessively hot foodstuffs like soup, coffee, or tea could cause sensitivity.
- Alcohol, which would increase the bleeding.
- Also, any other food that would cause discomfort or sensitivity.
Root canal therapy can be a painful process causing a lot of irritation and discomfort during and after the treatment. Hence, it is very important that you eat or drink the right type of food so that you do not cause any more discomfort and unnecessary pain by simply being ignorant on what to and what not to eat, this might also lead to re-occurrence of the problem needing repeat RCT. If you have any queries regarding the same, you can always consult your dentist. After all, they are the ones to help you smile brightly
10 frequently asked questions from our patients about what foods to eat after a root canal therapy or RCT
A root canal is a procedure to protect the roots of the tooth by removing the underlying infection. Eating healthy and nutritious food before undergoing root canal therapy is recommended to strengthen the immune system.
What Indian foods can I eat after root canal?
After the procedure, it is advisable to avoid hot & spicy foods. It takes time for the numbness to wear off after the process. Therefore, it is better to eat soft foods to avoid pain, irritation or accidentally bite your tongue.
After the root canal, eating Indian food such as idli, dosas and rice is not a problem. It is important to mash food and soften it before eating. It is also essential to avoid spicy chutneys, sambar and any chewy or crunchy food.
Can I eat pizza after root canal?
Yes, you can eat a soft crust pizza after root canal. It is also advisable to avoid any crunchy or spicy toppings on the pizza.
Can I eat rice after root canal?
Yes, you can eat rice after undergoing a root canal. Ensue that the rice is not too hot before you eat.
Can I drink coffee after root canal treatment?
It is better to not consume any hot drinks like coffee, tea and soups after the treatment. Eating extremely hot food and drinks could cause some sensitivity. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid them.
Can I eat chocolate after root canal treatment?
It is better to skip sticky foods like chocolate and candy after the treatment. It could be abrasive to the tooth, pull out the temporary filling and damage the tooth.
Can I eat chicken or meat after the procedure?
After undergoing root canal treatment, the focus is on giving the area time to heal. It is therefore important to avoid all chewable foods, including chicken and other meats.
Can I eat ice cream after undergoing a root canal?
Foods such as yoghurt, ice cream and milkshakes are great for you after your root canal treatment. They are soft and can soothe the pain and discomfort of the root canal.
What foods should I avoid after root canal?
After the process, it is advisable to avoid:
1. Crunchy foods such as carrots and apples, which can damage the tooth and cause pain.
2. Hard foods like nuts
3. Chewy foods such as chewing gum and candy could tear off the temporary filling.
4. Excessively hot drinks like soup, coffee, or tea could cause sensitivity.
5. Alcohol as this will increase the bleeding.
Can I drink Coke or Pepsi after root canal?
Sodas and soft drinks are harmful to your teeth. The sugar in soft drinks and carbonation in all liquids lead to decalcification of the teeth and can result in tooth decay. It is highly advisable to avoid them in general for good dental health.
Can I chew gum after root canal?
It is highly advisable to avoid chewing gum, candy, or other sticky items as it could dislodge the temporary material or fracture your tooth.
Root canal treatment can be a painful process. It is essential to eat the right food after and before the treatment for a successful procedure. Do not hesitate to consult our dentists for any further questions.
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