Here's something that surprises a lot of patients: the toothache that sent them in is usually gone by the time they leave. The root canal removes the inflamed nerve that was causing it. What's left is a few days of the tooth and the area around it settling down. If you know what normal root canal recovery feels like, you won't worry about the small stuff, and you'll recognize the rare thing that does need a call.
The first few hours
Your lip, tongue and cheek may stay numb for two to four hours. Avoid eating until the numbness wears off so you don't bite your cheek or tongue, and be careful with hot drinks. If you were given sedation, have someone drive you home.
Days one to three: some tenderness is expected
The ligament around the root can be irritated by the cleaning and the infection that was there before. That usually feels like:
- Soreness when you bite down on the tooth
- A dull ache around the tooth or the jaw
- Mild tenderness in the gum near the treated tooth
This typically improves a little each day. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually control it; take them as your dentist recommends and as the label directs. If you were prescribed antibiotics for an infection, finish the full course.
What helps
- Chew on the other side until the permanent crown or filling is in place. A tooth with a temporary filling is more fragile.
- Choose softer foods for the first couple of days: eggs, pasta, yogurt, soups that aren't too hot.
- Keep brushing and flossing normally, gently around the treated tooth.
- Avoid very hard or sticky foods such as nuts, ice and caramel until the tooth is fully restored.
Why the crown appointment matters
A tooth that needed a root canal has often lost a lot of structure to decay or old fillings, and without its nerve it can become more brittle. Back teeth in particular usually need a crown to protect them from cracking. Delaying the crown is one of the most common reasons a root-canal-treated tooth is lost later. See our guide to dental crown materials and costs.
Signs you should call your dentist
Call if you notice any of these:
- Pain that gets worse after the third day instead of better
- Swelling inside the mouth or on the face that appears or grows after treatment
- A fever
- The temporary filling falls out
- Your bite feels high, so the treated tooth hits first when you close
- A reaction to a medication, such as a rash or itching
Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing is an emergency; go to an emergency room.
How long does it take to feel completely normal?
Most people feel close to normal within a few days and fully comfortable within a week or two. Tenderness when biting can linger a little longer if the tooth had a large infection before treatment, because the bone around the root takes time to heal. Your dentist may take a follow-up X-ray months later to confirm healing.
Who does root canals at our office
At NOHO Dental Group, root canal treatment is provided by Dr. Kakoli, an endodontist, a specialist in the inside of the tooth. If you're nervous about the procedure itself, our article on root canal myths answers the most common worries.
Not sure if what you're feeling is normal? Call us at (747) 339-7016. We'd much rather hear from you on day two than find out about a problem at your crown appointment.
