Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Root Canal Treatment
Care After Your Root Canal
What to Do Today
• Do not chew until the numbness is gone.
• Do not chew hard food on the treated tooth.
• Brush and floss as usual, but be gentle.
• Take any medicine exactly as directed.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
• Keep the tooth clean.
• Continue to avoid hard chewing on the treated tooth.
• Keep your appointment for the final filling or crown.
Days 2-3
• Mild soreness when biting can be normal.
• The tooth should start to feel better.
• Use pain medicine if needed and safe for you.
Days 4-7
• Soreness should keep improving.
• Call us if pain is strong or getting worse.
Later Healing
• The tooth often needs a final crown or filling to protect it.
• Do not delay the final restoration.
• Keep regular checkups.
Pain Medicine
Adult doses only. Use these medicines only if they are safe for you.
• Mild or moderate pain: Take ONE — ibuprofen up to 600 mg OR acetaminophen up to 1,000 mg.
• More pain: Take BOTH together.
• Wait at least 6 hours before the next dose. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Check all medicine labels for acetaminophen. Ask us, your doctor, or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take either medicine if a doctor has told you to avoid it.
Normal Healing
• Mild soreness when biting
• Mild gum soreness near the tooth
• A tooth that feels different for a few days
• Slow improvement
Call Eusebio Dental
Call or text Eusebio Dental for:
• Strong pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days
• Swelling inside or outside the mouth
• Fever or a bad taste
• A temporary filling that comes out
• A bite that feels high
• Your old symptoms coming back
Emergency -
Call 911
Call 911 now for:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding you cannot control
You Might Be Wondering
Can I brush and floss?
Yes. Clean the tooth as usual, but be gentle.
Can I chew on the tooth?
Avoid hard chewing until the final crown or filling is placed.
Why is the tooth sore?
The tissues around the root may need time to calm down.
Do I still need a crown?
Many back teeth need a crown after root canal treatment. Follow the treatment plan we gave you.
Helpful Tips
Why This Matters
• Use the other side for hard or crunchy foods.
• Keep the next appointment for the final restoration.
• Call if the temporary filling comes out.
• Do not test the tooth by biting hard on it.
• The tooth may be weaker until the final crown or filling is placed.
• Gentle chewing lowers the risk of a crack.
• Good cleaning helps protect the tooth from a new cavity.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Eusebio, DMD, MBA
Last Reviewed:
July 2026
Sources:
https://www.aae.org/patients/your-office-visit/post-treatment-care/ | https://www.aae.org/patients/your-office-visit/pain-management/ | https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21759-root-canal
Root Canal Treatment