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.