- Swelling’s pretty par for the course—mine looked worse than it felt.
- Saltwater rinses? Still a thing, but not everyone recommends them. I did it anyway because my grandma swore by it.
- Would’ve been nice if they mentioned how weird your bite feels after. That threw me off way more than the swelling.
- Chewing on the other side is smart, but soft foods are your friend for a couple days.
- If you’re ever unsure, just call the office. They’ve heard every “is this normal?” question under the sun.
Would’ve been nice if they mentioned how weird your bite feels after. That threw me off way more than the swelling.
That’s such a good point—nobody really warns you about the bite feeling “off” for a while. Totally normal, though. Swelling and mild discomfort are expected, but if you notice severe pain or persistent swelling after a few days, it’s wise to check in. Saltwater rinses are generally safe, but not always necessary. You’re doing everything right by sticking to soft foods and calling the office when unsure. It gets easier each day.
I gotta say, I actually found the saltwater rinses pretty helpful, even if they’re not “necessary.” Maybe it’s old-school, but it made my mouth feel cleaner and less sore. And that bite—yeah, felt like I was chewing sideways for a week.
That sideways bite thing is so weird, right? I remember after my root canal, I kept second-guessing if my bite would ever feel normal again. Did your dentist mention how long it’d take for your bite to settle back, or did you just have to wait it out? I always wondered if I should’ve asked more about what to expect with soreness and eating. Did you find anything that helped besides saltwater rinses?
I totally get what you mean about second-guessing your bite. After my root canal, I kept biting the inside of my cheek for weeks and wondered if my mouth would ever “reset.” My dentist just said it could take a while for things to settle, but honestly, I wish I’d pushed for a more specific answer. Did yours say anything about jaw soreness or how long the weird bite feeling might last?
For soreness, saltwater rinses helped a bit, but I found that sticking to softer foods—like scrambled eggs and yogurt—was the only thing that really made eating bearable. Ice packs on the outside of my jaw gave me some relief too. Did you notice your jaw getting tired from chewing on one side? That drove me nuts.
It’s reassuring to hear I’m not the only one who felt off after the procedure. Sometimes I think they downplay how long it takes to feel “normal” again. Hope you’re feeling better these days.
