Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic therapy) is a procedure where the contents of the root canals of a tooth are removed due to trauma to the nerve of the tooth. In most cases, there are no long-term diet restrictions; your dentist may suggest eating soft foods for a few days following the procedure.
Diet Recommendations Following Root Canal Therapy
Since a soft diet is recommended for a few days, it is wise to stock up on those foods that will be easy to consume. These include things like jello, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, eggs, and applesauce.
Foods to avoid include anything too chewy like crusty bread and meat; crunchy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables; and anything gummy. Nuts, pretzels, popcorn, chips, and crackers are on the forbidden list for at least a few days.
And while your mouth remains numb from the anesthetic, it is wise not to eat or drink anything hot as you could easily burn your mouth.
Are There Any Residual Problems Following a Root Canal?
For the majority of patients needing treatment with endodontic therapy, the time following treatment is usually much more enjoyable than the time leading up to the procedure.
While some patients may not experience any symptoms, very often that is not the case. Some of the symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal include discomfort when biting down on the problem tooth; sensitivity to temperature; swelling of jaw or gums; or tooth discoloration.
A tooth that has incurred some type of trauma resulting in a crack or break; a tooth that is deeply decayed; or a tooth that has become infected are all things that might indicate the need for a root canal.
Once the dentist has completed root canal therapy, there is an access point in the tooth that must be sealed. In many cases, this final step of treatment is done with a dental crown. Once the tooth has been prepped for the crown and a temporary placed, the patient should avoid chewing on this tooth until the permanent crown can be cemented in.
Once the crown has been placed and the access point sealed, the patient can resume their normal eating patterns without any residual problems.