I get where you’re coming from about wanting a super clear food list, but I actually think it’s almost impossible for dentists to cover every single “danger” food. When my kid had a temp crown, they said “nothing sticky or crunchy,” but honestly, who thinks cheese on pizza is risky? I do wish they’d mention the temp cement kits though—that would’ve saved us a weekend of stress. But at the same time, if they listed out every possible hazard, I’d probably just panic and feed my kid applesauce for a week. Sometimes you really don’t know until it happens...
- Totally get what you mean about the food list.
- I kept asking “can I eat this?” and got the same “avoid hard or sticky stuff” answer.
- Ended up eating a soft taco and the temp crown popped off anyway... guess tortillas count as risky?
- Wish I’d known about those temp cement kits too—spent hours googling if I could just superglue it (don’t do that).
- Honestly, I just stuck to mashed potatoes and yogurt for a few days.
- It’s weird how the “danger foods” are sometimes the ones you’d never expect.
It’s weird how the “danger foods” are sometimes the ones you’d never expect.
Totally agree, but honestly, I think the “avoid hard or sticky stuff” advice is just too vague. I actually ate a soft wrap after my root canal, thinking it was a safe bet, and my temp crown stayed put—guess it’s kind of luck of the draw? I do think tortillas can be risky if you’re chewing more on one side or if they’re kind of chewy. But at the same time, mashed potatoes and yogurt for days just got boring fast for me.
One thing I wish I’d asked is how soon it’s actually safe to eat “normal” food again. My dentist made it sound like a week, but I’ve seen people go back way sooner with no issues. Maybe it depends on how well the temp crown fits? And yeah, those temp cement kits are a lifesaver—definitely better than superglue (I almost tried that too...).
Honestly, I wish they gave out an actual list of foods to avoid instead of just saying “soft foods.” Like, does rice count? Eggs? It’s all so vague.
Honestly, I wish they gave out an actual list of foods to avoid instead of just saying “soft foods.” Like, does rice count? Eggs? It’s all so vague.
I get where you’re coming from with the whole “soft foods” being a bit of a cop-out. But honestly, I think there’s a reason they keep it vague. After my third root canal (yep, lucky me…), I realized everyone’s mouth is just different. My first time, I ate scrambled eggs and they were fine. The second time, I tried the same thing and somehow managed to knock the temp crown loose on a piece of toast. Go figure.
I actually don’t think it’s just luck of the draw, though. It’s more about how you chew and how careful you are. I know it sounds a bit silly, but after a few mishaps, I started cutting everything super small and chewing with the opposite side—made a big difference for me. Tortillas, like you mentioned, can be sneaky because they seem soft but get chewy fast. Rice is another one—if it’s sticky or clumps together, it can tug at the crown without you realizing.
About going back to “normal” food: I’ve pushed it before and regretted it. Once that temp crown pops off at dinner, you’re stuck with soup or applesauce until you can get in for a fix. Not fun. I’d rather play it safe for a week than risk another dental visit.
I do agree that mashed potatoes and yogurt get old real quick. But things like avocado, cottage cheese, or even overcooked pasta helped break up the monotony for me. And yeah, those temp cement kits are handy—I’ve had to use them more than once. Never tried superglue, though…that one makes me nervous!
Maybe it’s not so much about what foods you eat but how you eat them and how patient you can be with the healing process. Easier said than done when you’re hungry for something with actual texture, but that extra caution saved me some headaches in the long run.
Maybe it’s not so much about what foods you eat but how you eat them and how patient you can be with the healing process.
I get your point, but I still think the “what” matters a lot too. Like, I was super careful with how I chewed, but a single rogue grain of rice still got stuck and irritated my gum. Sometimes it’s just the texture or stickiness that causes issues, not just how you eat it. I’d love a clearer list from dentists, honestly—less guesswork, less stress.