Root Canal Recovery: What To Expect In The Days After

If you have just had a root canal, or you have one booked in, it is completely normal to wonder what the next few days will feel like. Most people worry more about the recovery than the actual appointment. At Two Rocks Dental Care we talk you through what to expect before you leave the chair, so there are no surprises once the numbness wears off.

This guide covers the usual root canal recovery timeline, what you can and cannot eat, why you will likely need a second visit for a crown, and the signs that mean you should call us rather than wait it out.

What root canal recovery actually feels like

A root canal removes the infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals the space so the tooth can stay in your mouth instead of being taken out. Once the local anaesthetic wears off, it is normal for the tooth and gum around it to feel tender for a few days.

Think of it a bit like a bruise. The ligament that holds the tooth in its socket has been irritated by the infection and the treatment, and it needs a little time to settle. Mild soreness or tenderness when biting typically peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours and fades within a week, and many people are back to normal daily activities the next day.

Bite tenderness is usually the last thing to go. The periodontal ligament heals more slowly than soft tissue, so the tooth may feel different or slightly sensitive to firm chewing for one to two weeks, especially if there was a fair bit of infection beforehand. The main thing to watch for is direction, not just intensity - soreness should be getting better each day, not worse.

Root canal pain after treatment - what is normal and what is not

Some tenderness is expected. A throbbing ache that keeps building, or pain that is worse on day four than it was on day two, is not the usual pattern and is worth a call to us.

A few simple things help while the area settles:

• Stick to soft foods and chew on the other side of your mouth for the first few days
• Take pain relief following the directions on the packet, or ask your pharmacist if you are unsure what suits you
• Brush and floss gently around the tooth rather than avoiding it completely
• Rest a little more than usual for the first day or so

If you have had a tooth looked at for root canal treatment, you may also have wondered whether removing the tooth was an option instead. We have written more on that in our guide comparing root canal treatment and extraction, which goes through the pros and cons of each so you can see why saving the tooth is often worth it.

Root canal recovery time - roughly what to expect

Every mouth heals at its own pace, and how long your tooth took to treat, and how infected it was beforehand, both play a part. As a general guide though, most people notice the tenderness easing steadily over the first week.

The first 24 to 48 hours

Your mouth may still feel a little strange as the anaesthetic wears off. Stick to soft, cool food and avoid chewing on the treated side until you have full feeling back.

Days two to five

This is usually when any lingering soreness is at its most noticeable, then starts to ease. Light activity is fine, but give yourself a bit of a break from anything strenuous.

One week on

By about a week, most people feel back to normal when it comes to everyday chewing and talking. If you are still quite sore at this point, it is worth getting the tooth checked rather than waiting it out. If you are curious about how long the actual appointment itself takes, our post on how long a root canal appointment takes explains what happens visit by visit.

Eating after a root canal

Your tooth will be more vulnerable than usual until it has its permanent filling or crown in place, so a bit of care with food goes a long way.

What to avoid

Steer clear of hard, crunchy or sticky foods on the treated side - think nuts, hard bread crusts, toffee or ice. These can crack a temporary filling or put too much pressure on a tooth that is still settling.

What works well

Soft foods like pasta, eggs, soup, mashed vegetables and fish are easy on a healing tooth. Chewing mainly on the other side of your mouth for a week or two gives the tooth time to recover without extra strain.

The temporary filling and crown step

After the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed, we usually place a temporary filling to protect it between visits. This is deliberately not as strong as a permanent filling, so it is important not to chew hard foods directly on it.

Most back teeth need a crown after root canal treatment, because the tooth has lost some of its natural strength once the nerve is removed. A crown covers and protects the tooth so you can chew normally again. You can read more about this step on our root canal therapy page, and see the options for protecting the tooth afterwards on our crowns and bridges page.

If your temporary filling feels like it has come loose, or you can feel a gap or sharp edge, let us know so we can take a look before your next visit. Leaving it too long can let bacteria back into the tooth.

Can you drive after a root canal?

This comes up a lot, and it is a fair question. Root canal treatment at Two Rocks Dental Care is carried out using local anaesthetic, which numbs the tooth and surrounding gum without affecting your alertness or coordination.

Most people are perfectly fine to drive themselves home once the appointment is finished. The main thing to be careful of is the numbness itself - avoid hot drinks and be careful not to bite your cheek or lip while you still cannot feel that side of your mouth properly. If you feel unusually faint, dizzy or unwell for any reason, it is sensible to wait until you feel steady, or have someone collect you.

Signs you should call the dentist

A little tenderness is expected, but a few symptoms are worth a call rather than a wait-and-see approach. Get in touch with us if you notice:

• Pain that is getting worse rather than better after a few days
• Swelling in your face, cheek or gum
• A temporary filling that has come out or feels loose
• A bad taste or odour coming from the tooth
• Fever along with tooth pain

If you develop spreading facial swelling, a high fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that will not stop, this needs urgent attention at a hospital emergency department straight away, rather than waiting for a regular appointment.

Why choose a local dentist for root canal treatment

Living in Two Rocks, Yanchep or along Perth's northern coast usually means a long drive to Joondalup or further for most dental care. At Two Rocks Dental Care, we offer root canal therapy and the crown work that often follows it, right here in the local area.

We are a family-run practice, and our team talks you through each option, with the pros and cons, so you can make the decision that suits you and your tooth. If you have HBF, HCF or nib extras cover, we are a preferred provider for those funds, which usually means a smaller gap for you to pay, and we can process your claim on the spot with HICAPS. Just bring your card along to your appointment.

Frequently asked questions

How long does root canal pain last after the procedure?

Most people notice tenderness easing steadily over the first week, with biting sensitivity sometimes lingering a little longer. If pain is getting worse rather than better after a few days, it is worth getting the tooth checked.

Is it normal to still feel the tooth when I bite?

Yes, this is common for a week or two after treatment, since the ligament around the root takes time to settle. It should feel milder each day rather than more noticeable.

Can I go back to work the next day?

Most people feel well enough to return to work or school the day after a root canal. If your job is very physical, taking it a little easier for a day or two is sensible.

Do I definitely need a crown after a root canal?

Many back teeth need a crown to protect them after root canal treatment, since the tooth can be more brittle once treated. We will let you know whether this applies to your tooth and talk through the options on our crowns and bridges page.

What if my temporary filling falls out before my next visit?

Give us a call as soon as you notice it, since the tooth is more exposed without it. We will fit you in to replace it and protect the tooth until your crown appointment.

If you think you might need root canal treatment, or you are partway through treatment and want to check something feels right, give Two Rocks Dental Care a call on (08) 9502 9040. New to the practice? Our new patients page has everything you need to get started, and you can also book an appointment online at a time that suits you.