Worried about 6 root canals

Totally get why you’re freaking out - when I found out I needed three root canals, I legit thought I was gonna pass out. The anxiety before the first one was worse than the actual procedure, honestly. My jaw was sore after, but the pain relief was instant. Numbing shots work wonders, and headphones helped distract me during the long sessions. It’s a lot, but you’ll get through it.

I’m right there with you on the anxiety. When my orthodontist first mentioned I might need root canals, my mind just spiraled. I kept thinking about the needles and drills and honestly, I couldn’t sleep for a few nights. I’ve only had one so far (still got more to go), but I was surprised how fast it actually went. The worst part for me was the anticipation - my heart was pounding in the waiting room and I kept replaying worst-case scenarios in my head.

I did notice my jaw got super stiff after holding it open for so long, and I was really sensitive to cold drinks for a bit. Did anyone else have trouble eating after? I stuck to soup for a few days just because chewing felt weird. Also, how did you all manage with work or school right after? I had to take the afternoon off because my face felt numb and droopy, but maybe that’s just me being overly cautious...

I had to take the afternoon off because my face felt numb and droopy, but maybe that’s just me being overly cautious...

Honestly, I powered through work right after mine, but it was probably not my smartest move. The numb face made Zoom calls kinda hilarious though - felt like I was glitching. For eating, I just went straight to protein shakes and yogurt. I didn’t have too much cold sensitivity, but chewing definitely felt off for a bit. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I think you were smart to take the afternoon off.

The numb face thing is so weird, right? I kept poking my cheek just to check if it was still attached. I get being nervous about so many root canals - I had two done in the same week and honestly, the anticipation was worse than the actual procedure. The hardest part for me was eating; I stuck to soft foods for a few days since chewing felt awkward. Pain-wise, it wasn’t terrible - just more sore than sharp pain. Hope it goes smoothly for you.

I keep hearing that the numbness is way worse than the pain, which is oddly comforting but also freaks me out a bit. Did you have any issues with drinking or accidentally biting your tongue? I’m worried I’ll do something dumb while my face feels like rubber.

Two in one week sounds rough but doable… I’m supposed to get all six done over two appointments and I can’t wrap my head around how my mouth’s gonna feel after. How long did the soreness last for you? Were you able to talk normally? Eating is definitely on my mind, too - did you just do soups and yogurt or did you manage anything else?

I know everyone says it’s not as bad as it sounds, but the idea of sitting there for hours with my mouth open is making me super anxious. Did anything help distract you during the procedure? Music, podcasts, anything like that?

the idea of sitting there for hours with my mouth open is making me super anxious

Honestly, the numbness never bothered me as much as the anticipation. I actually found the soreness after was less intense than I expected - more like a dull ache than real pain. I could talk, just sounded a bit funny. Eating was mostly soft stuff at first, but I managed scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes too. For distraction, music worked better for me than podcasts since I didn’t want to focus on words while people were talking in my mouth. It’s not fun, but it’s rarely as awful as your brain makes it out to be.

music worked better for me than podcasts since I didn’t want to focus on words while people were talking in my mouth

That made me smile - never thought about how weird it is to try and listen to people talk while you’re literally being worked on. I get the anxiety, especially with the idea of six root canals lined up. I’ve been down that road, and honestly, the waiting beforehand was always the hardest part for me. Once I was in the chair, it was more about zoning out and letting them do their thing. I’d get tense at first, but after a few minutes, it was almost boring.

The soreness after wasn’t as dramatic as I’d built it up in my head. I lived on applesauce and yogurt for a bit, but even that felt like a small price for getting rid of tooth pain. I know it’s easy to say “don’t worry,” but if it helps, most of us come out the other side thinking it wasn’t nearly as bad as we imagined. Just take it one appointment at a time.

the waiting beforehand was always the hardest part for me. Once I was in the chair, it was more about zoning out and letting them do their thing.

Totally agree - the anticipation is worse than the actual procedure. I’ve never had six at once, but even one root canal had me freaking out before it started. Once they numbed everything, I just focused on my music and tried not to think about what was happening. The post-procedure pain wasn’t bad for me either, just a dull ache for a couple days. Honestly, the relief after was worth it.

the anticipation is worse than the actual procedure

Couldn’t agree more. The mind is a wild place when you’re staring at the ceiling tiles, imagining every drill in the world. Once that numbing kicks in, though, it’s like - wait, are we done yet? I’ve seen folks bring full playlists or even podcasts just to zone out. And honestly, most people are surprised how manageable it is after. That “dull ache” you mentioned is pretty spot-on for most. Hang in there - relief is coming.

I’ve had more root canals than I care to count at this point, and honestly, the build-up in my head was always worse than the reality. That anxiety beforehand - heart racing, palms sweating, the works. But once you’re in the chair and they get that numbing going, it’s almost anticlimactic. The noise is annoying, but pain-wise? Not much to write home about.

One thing I’ll say, though: if you’re getting six done, ask if they can space them out a bit. I tried doing two in one session once and felt like my jaw had run a marathon. Also, don’t underestimate how tired you might feel after - it’s not just your mouth, it’s your whole body riding out the stress.

Music or an audiobook helped me tune out. And bring a chapstick... your lips get drier than you’d expect. At the end of the day, the relief from that constant tooth pain made all the nerves worth it for me.

That whole jaw marathon thing is so real. I had three root canals done over two sessions and, honestly, the second day my jaw felt like it was made of rubber bands. I’m with you on the anxiety being worse than the actual procedure - my imagination went wild before that first appointment, but once I was numb, it was mostly just boring.

I’ve been wondering about spacing them out more, though. My dentist suggested doing them close together to “get it over with,” but now I’m not so sure. Did you notice any difference in healing or soreness when you had yours spread out versus back-to-back? Also, did you have any issues eating after (like sensitivity or just general discomfort)? I could barely manage soup for a couple days.

Chapstick is a solid tip. I’d add - if your dentist lets you - bring your own headphones. The sound of those drills gets old fast. Did you feel wiped out for more than a day? I bounced back pretty quick after one, but after two in a row I needed extra naps and Netflix.

Curious if anyone else’s dentist pushed for grouping them together... or if it’s better to take more time between each one.

Grouping them together can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Some folks like to just power through and be done, but honestly, I’ve seen a lot of people come back saying their jaw’s just exhausted after back-to-back sessions. I usually suggest spacing them out if you’re prone to soreness or get wiped out easily. Eating’s always tricky after - soft foods are your friend, but yeah, even soup can feel like a chore for a day or two. It’s totally normal to feel extra tired after multiple procedures; your body’s just trying to recover. Headphones are a game changer for the drill noise, by the way... makes a huge difference for some people.

I totally get the idea of spacing them out, but honestly, I felt more anxious dragging things over weeks. Doing a few at once meant I only had to psych myself up for the chair once, and the recovery felt like ripping off a band-aid. The jaw soreness was real, though. Anyone else prefer just getting it done in fewer trips?

Doing a few at once meant I only had to psych myself up for the chair once, and the recovery felt like ripping off a band-aid.

That’s actually kinda tempting. I’m still working up the nerve for my first root canal, so the idea of getting SIX just sounds wild to me. But dragging it out over weeks would probably mess with my head too. My dentist suggested splitting them up, but honestly, I can barely sleep before appointments as it is... Might as well just get all the terror over in one go? Not sure my jaw would ever forgive me though.

Might as well just get all the terror over in one go? Not sure my jaw would ever forgive me though.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I had three root canals done in one session a couple years back, and I was a bundle of nerves leading up to it. The upside was only having to deal with the anxiety once, but yeah, my jaw was sore for days after. If you’re a clencher like me, it’s a lot. Still, dragging it out over weeks can really mess with your head too... For me, getting it done in one go made the whole thing feel less drawn out and stressful overall. Just be prepared for some serious jaw fatigue after.

I get wanting to just “get it all over with,” but honestly, I’d be worried about doing six at once. When I had two done back-to-back, my jaw was so stiff I could barely eat for a couple days. Plus, I found it easier to mentally prep for each one if I spaced them out. Everyone’s different, but for me, breaking it up made the whole thing less overwhelming.

Just be prepared for some serious jaw fatigue after.

Yeah, that’s what got me. I couldn’t imagine doubling or tripling that feeling. Sometimes a slower approach is kinder to your nerves... and your jaw.

I totally get your hesitation. Six at once sounds brutal, honestly. When I had three done in a month, just spacing them out by a week or so made a huge difference for my sanity (and my jaw). Did your dentist mention any options for splitting them up? Sometimes it’s worth asking if you can take it in stages, even if it drags things out a bit. I found I could actually eat real food that way... not just smoothies and soup for days.

- Sometimes doing them all at once actually makes sense, especially if the teeth are infected or causing pain.
- Dragging it out can mean more trips, more anxiety, and possibly more issues if decay spreads.
- Recovery can be rough, but you get it over with faster. I’ve seen folks eat soft foods for a week and then bounce back pretty quick.
- Worth weighing immediate discomfort vs. multiple drawn-out appointments. Everyone’s tolerance is different, but sometimes ripping off the band-aid works better.

I had five root canals done in one go a couple years back (yeah, not quite six, but close enough that I feel you). Honestly, I was dreading it for weeks - couldn’t sleep the night before. The idea of dragging it out over months sounded even worse though, and my dentist said the same thing about infection spreading if I waited.

The actual appointment was long. Like, bring-your-own-podcast long. But it wasn’t as painful as I expected - just kind of numb and weird, mostly. My jaw was sore for a few days after, and I basically lived on mashed potatoes and soup for a week. It sucked in the moment, but once the swelling went down and the pain faded, it was actually a relief to have it all behind me instead of worrying about another round.

I will say, recovery is different for everyone. My friend did hers spaced out because she gets super anxious at the dentist, and she preferred smaller doses of stress over one big hit. For me, I just wanted to get it over with - kind of like ripping off a band-aid, like you said.

One thing I wish I’d known: don’t plan anything important for a couple days after. I tried to go back to work too soon and just ended up cranky and tired. And stock up on soft foods - seriously makes life easier.

Looking back, I’m glad I did them all at once, but if you’re really nervous or have other health stuff going on, maybe spreading them out isn’t so bad either. Everyone’s got their own pain threshold and anxiety levels… It’s definitely not “one size fits all.”