Printable aftercare sheet
Root Canal Aftercare — What To Do After Your RCT
Your infection is out — the aftercare protects a temporarily brittle tooth until its permanent restoration is placed.
First 24–48 hours
- Don't chew anything until the numbness fully wears off — you can bite your cheek without feeling it
- Mild soreness on biting is normal; take pain relief before the anesthesia fades, not after pain peaks
- Avoid very hot, cold or acidic food and drink
- Chew on the opposite side
Days 2–7
- Brush gently twice daily and floss normally — the tooth isn't fragile to cleaning
- Sensitivity to pressure fades over several days
- Keep chewing on the other side until your permanent filling or crown is placed
- A gentle gum massage near the tooth eases ligament tenderness
Until your crown appointment
- The temporary filling protects the tooth — avoid sticky and very hard foods on it
- If the temporary chips or feels lower, call us; don't wait for the scheduled visit
- Attend the crown appointment — a root-treated back tooth without a crown is living on borrowed time
Call us promptly if you notice
- Pain that worsens after day 2–3 instead of fading
- Swelling of the gum or face
- The bite feeling suddenly 'high' on the treated tooth
- The temporary filling falling out
FF-109, PNTC Building, Times of India Press Rd, Vejalpur (Prahladnagar), Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380051, India
These are general instructions — anything specific we told you at your appointment takes precedence. Medically reviewed by Dr. Vernica Agarwala.
Questions during recovery?
A quick message beats a worried night — we answer aftercare questions round the clock for surgical patients.
Or call us directly: +91 81411 96667