More than 15 million people undergo root canal treatments every year. Taking care of your teeth with changing dietary lifestyles, especially after dental surgeries1, becomes challenging. That’s why it is essential to know what you can eat after a root canal treatment.2
1. What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is also known as endodontic therapy treatment3. It is performed to treat decayed teeth filled with cavities. This process involves removing the damaged tooth and sealing the canals. Then, a dental crown is inserted in the infected area. It is completed in two phases. Initially, the dentist inserts a temporary crown filling after removing the infected tooth. After some weeks, the dentist inserts a new permanent crown filling in that area. The duration between the oral surgery4 requires proper attention to avoid infection. And calls for good eating habits.
2. When to Eat After Root Canal Treatment?
Doctors advise not to eat immediately or the same day after the root canal procedure. Give your mouth a few hours’ rest. Also, avoid biting or chewing hard foods. The area becomes very sensitive and numb after the dental procedure. In some cases, you might bite your tongue and eat burning hot food because of your numbness and anesthesia5.
Before eating anything, make sure you are eating on the opposite side of the treated tooth to avoid any further injuries. You must be hungry but don’t forget to slowly and steadily enjoy your food after a tedious dental procedure. Now we’ll share some of the healthy food options and tips before you indulge in your favourite meals.
2.1. Broths and Soups
This one is easy to make and offers you the same nutrients as solid foods. So be ready, stock up on some of your favourite soups, and prepare a good broth.
You can opt for savoury soups such as tomato basil soup, chicken broth with noodles, and potato soup. Canned soup might be easy to gobble down with less effort, so you are good to go with delicious soups and broth. However, make sure the soup is not too hot!
2.2. Mashed Potatoes
This one is a famous American dish. Eating soft foods is your priority after the root canal. Mashed potatoes are an easy dish with loads of nutrients in it. You can put cup versions of potatoes into the microwaves. And enjoy all the delicious flavours of the mashed potatoes with some cheese as well. A beneficial tip would be to peel the potatoes before mashing them.
2.3. Beans
For all our vegetarian friends, beans are a great substitute for meat. Boiled beans are loaded with rich proteins and are good for recovery. And are safe to consume after any wisdom tooth removal or tooth extraction. Plus, if you are craving something fulfilling, then it’s one of the greatest nutritious options you can use in soups and broth as well. Add different soft veggies to enhance taste.
2.4. Hummus
Hummus is a go-to favourite dish with tortilla chips and nachos. Although it’s hard to eat it without any chips. But it’s always easy to whip up some fresh Hummus dips. So enjoy some freshly homemade homers and try to blend in the right veggies.
2.5. Tofu
Tofu is a popular Asian dish made up of soya beans. It’s high in protein, and any day is a magical substitute for meat. Tofu is available in various textures, so opt for softer ones after your wisdom tooth removal. With minimal effort, you can dice and saute it with soy sauce and olive oil for a rich taste. Stir-frying is also a great option as long as you make it soft like mashed vegetables.
2.6. Bananas
Bananas are like superfoods around this time. They are already soft, ripe fruits and can be easily mashed, making them amazing fruits after dental surgery. It has the right nutrients, including potassium, and is easy to digest. Plus, the riper banana, the sweeter it will taste.
2.7. Avocado
Avocados are so popular right now with their sandwiches and smoothies. Also, avocados contain nutrients such as proteins, good fats, and fibre. It is soft, and the fruit can be sliced; sprinkling a little salt and pepper also enhances the flavours. A great tip is to go for perfectly ripe avocados.
2.8. Smoothies and Shakes
This is the simplest one and a combination of all fruits and vegetables. And allows you to have power-packed nutritional drinks and smoothies. They are soft foods filled with antioxidants that are good for your teeth recovery.
You can toss your favourite fruits in the blender. Savoury smoothies of cooked vegetables will fill your stomach and soothe the pain in your mouth. Avoid using straws for your drinks. It especially strengthens your immune system, too!
2.9. Soft Cheeses
Who doesn’t want to indulge in some guilty pleasures like creamy dishes and cheesy melted Pizza? When your mouth is sore and numb after wisdom tooth removal, softer cheeses are a great option. You can choose from a delicious range of cheeses, such as cottage and parmesan. Plus, if taken in moderation, they are much healthier than pudding and ice cream. You can indulge in other cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, brie, and gorgonzola. However, again, make sure the meal isn’t too hot and is nutritionally beneficial.
2.10. Eggs
They are a great source of protein and very good for your mouth and stomach, and you do not have to chew a lot. Scramble some eggs or boil some eggs and sprinkle with salt, and you have a healthy, delicious option.
2.11. Ice Creams
Yes, the one dish you have been waiting for on this list! Ice cream is often recommended by our dentist for root canal recovery. A cool temperature helps in soothing sore gums. Make sure not to add any nuts or crunchy chocos as they might affect that sensitive dental area.
2.12. Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt is a scrumptious soft food to eat. When chilled, it offers healing properties for the teeth. Yoghurt is available in different flavours, making it even more pleasing to devour. Plus, it is a storehouse of calcium and protein. Each bite of Yogurt leaves you more filled and satisfied.
2.13. Grounded Beef and Shredded Meat
The meat delicacies are here for my non-veg friends. The myth that you should not eat meat after the root canal is likely false. Before you eat, make sure the meat is ground and soft. You can also cook up some shredded chicken by thinly shredding the meat. But the dentist advises eating after some days of the root canal procedure.
2.14. Quinoa
In a list of grains, quinoa is one of the healthy delicacies. You can add some seasonings for different flavours and fetta cheese for some creaminess. As you move to solid foods, you can also cook them with diced tomatoes and Italian flavours. For some fitness lovers, quinoa is a great addition to their lifestyles. As it offers high fibre and is gluten-free. Also, it is easy on teeth and stomach.
2.15. Oatmeal
Oatmeal should be on your list for a healthy breakfast. You can even trick yourself into chewing something with your favourite oatmeal. Besides being soft and less chewy it helps in lowering blood sugar levels, reduces inflammation, and reduces weight. But avoid having grits or nuts in your oatmeal to prevent injury to your wisdom teeth.
3. Foods to Avoid After a Root Canal
Dentists often recommend straying away from eating sticky food particles and hard, chewy foods for a speedy recovery. Many categories of foods should be avoided after root canal procedures. It can aggravate any kind of sensitivity, irritation, or discomfort. It can end up damaging your temporary filling and the permanent one as well.
Avoid eating hard and sticky foods like caramel sweets and chocolates, as this might pull off your crown and irritate your gums. And say no to crunchy foods such as tortilla chips, pretzels, and nuts. Avoiding such foods goes a long way for your dental health. During the healing phase, eatables with extremely hot and cool temperatures that might irritate your sensitive teeth should be avoided too. Also, avoid foods such as chewing gums, steaks, and hard meat. The aim is to prevent any pressure on that sensitive area.
4. Essential Tips to Follow Post-Root Canal
After dental surgery, teeth become very sensitive. Hence, the proper brushing technique6 should be followed. Experiencing discomfort while brushing is normal. Later, you can safely return to your routine. Brush twice a day with careful flossing. It is still a good idea to be concerned with sensitive areas and not floss near your permanent filling. Don’t forget to chew slowly and not bite hard foods in the future.
Conclusion
You must resume a regular diet sometime after your root canal treatment, but until then, you need to make sure that you have the right food. Being wise with your food choices for a few weeks is crucial for recovery. For most patients, when in doubt or concern, consulting your doctor is the best option. So, take care of your dental hygiene properly so you can happily munch on your favourite savoury meals.
- Xia, P., Lopes, A. M., & Restivo, M. T. (2013). Virtual reality and haptics for dental surgery: a personal review. The Visual Computer, 29, 433-447. ↩︎
- Estrela, C., Holland, R., Estrela, C. R. D. A., Alencar, A. H. G., Sousa-Neto, M. D., & Pécora, J. D. (2014). Characterization of successful root canal treatment. Brazilian dental journal, 25, 3-11. ↩︎
- Friedman, S., & Mor, C. (2004). The success of endodontic therapy—healing and functionality. Journal of the California Dental Association, 32(6), 493-503. ↩︎
- Kämmerer, P. W., Frerich, B., Liese, J., Schiegnitz, E., & Al-Nawas, B. (2015). Oral surgery during therapy with anticoagulants—a systematic review. Clinical oral investigations, 19, 171-180. ↩︎
- Stepaniuk, K., & Brock, N. (2008). Anesthesia monitoring in the dental and oral surgery patient. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 25(2), 143-149. ↩︎
- Ahad, M., & Gheena, S. (2015). Awareness of tooth brushing techniques and proper oral hygiene among school children. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences and research, 7(6), 367. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Janhavi Ramesh Kowligi
