Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Your complete guide to post-root canal care, ensuring optimal healing and long-term health of your treated tooth.
These actions will help manage discomfort and protect your treated tooth.
These activities can damage your temporary filling or cause unnecessary discomfort.
After your root canal treatment, here's what we recommend to eat, or avoid.
These soft foods won't damage your temporary filling.
These items can damage your temporary filling or cause pain.
You can start adding these foods carefully.
Continue avoiding these foods until permanent crown.
With temporary crown, you can try these foods.
Still avoid until permanent crown is placed.
| Care Aspect | Details | Frequency | Tools/Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Oral Hygiene | Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss around the crown carefully, clean all surfaces thoroughly, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. | Daily | Soft-bristled brush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, antibacterial mouthwash |
| Professional Care | Regular dental check-ups, crown inspection, bite evaluation, and X-rays to monitor the treated tooth's condition. | Every 6 months | Professional dental services |
| Crown Protection | Avoid biting hard objects, wear a night guard if grinding teeth, protect during sports, and avoid extreme temperature foods/drinks. | Ongoing | Custom night guard, sports mouthguard |
| Monitoring | Watch for crown looseness, changes in bite, sensitivity, or pain when biting. Report any issues promptly to prevent complications. | As needed | Contact dentist if concerns arise |
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Toothpaste | Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive | Post-treatment sensitivity | Helps manage tooth sensitivity after root canal treatment. |
| Ultra-Soft Toothbrush | Oral-B Sensitive, Colgate Slim Soft | Gentle cleaning | Extra-gentle bristles safe for temporary and permanent crowns. |
| Crown-Safe Floss | Oral-B Glide, Crest Gentle | Crown margins | Specially designed to clean around crown margins without catching. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Biotene, TheraBreath | Gentle rinsing | Non-irritating rinse safe for sensitive teeth. |
| Fluoride Rinse | ACT, Colgate Phos-Flur | Tooth strengthening | Helps strengthen tooth enamel around the crown. |
| Night Guard | Custom-fitted from dentist | Crown protection | Protects crown from grinding and clenching during sleep. |
| Temporary Filling Material | DenTemp, Temparin | Emergency repair | Temporary repair if crown or filling becomes loose. |
| Crown Cleaning Kit | ProCare, DentalKit | Crown maintenance | Special tools for cleaning around and under crown margins. |
| Cold/Hot Pack | TheraPearl, Ace | Temperature sensitivity | Helps manage temperature sensitivity after treatment. |
| Sensitivity Gel | Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief | Immediate relief | Quick relief for temporary tooth sensitivity. |
| Pain Relief Medication | Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen | Post-treatment discomfort | Over-the-counter pain relief as recommended by dentist. |
| Water Flosser | Waterpik, Philips Sonicare | Crown cleaning | Gentle yet effective cleaning around crown margins. |
Mild sensitivity is normal for a few days after root canal treatment. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure and temperature changes. This discomfort typically subsides within a week. If sensitivity persists or worsens, contact your dentist as this could indicate an issue with the temporary filling or treatment.
Wait until the numbness completely wears off before eating to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. For the first few days, stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the treated tooth. Once your permanent crown is placed, you can return to your normal diet, though continue to avoid extremely hard foods that could damage the crown.
Be gentle when brushing around the temporary filling and avoid flossing directly on it. Avoid sticky or hard foods that could dislodge it. If the temporary filling comes out, contact your dentist immediately. The temporary filling protects your tooth until the permanent crown is placed.
If your temporary or permanent crown feels loose, contact your dentist right away. Avoid pulling or wiggling the crown as this could damage it. In the meantime, be extra careful when eating and avoid chewing on that side. A loose crown needs to be re-cemented to prevent bacteria from entering.
A crown is necessary after a root canal to protect the treated tooth from fracturing. The root canal procedure can weaken the tooth structure, and a crown provides full coverage protection. The crown also helps seal the tooth from bacteria and restores its full function for biting and chewing.
With proper care, a root canal treatment can last a lifetime. The key is maintaining good oral hygiene, having regular dental check-ups, and protecting your crown from damage. Avoid habits like chewing ice or using your teeth to open packages, as these can damage the crown and compromise the treated tooth.
Dental crowns cannot be whitened like natural teeth. The crown material is stain-resistant and maintains its original color. If you're planning on whitening your other teeth, it's best to do so before getting your permanent crown so it can be color-matched to your desired shade.
While mild discomfort is normal for a few days after treatment, persistent or severe pain should be reported to your dentist. This could indicate an issue with the treatment, such as a missed canal or crack in the tooth. Prompt attention to any ongoing pain helps ensure the success of your root canal treatment.
Our specialist team is here to help you through your recovery journey.
