I hear you on the jaw ache—mine felt like I’d chewed gum for a week straight. The temp filling didn’t bother me much either, but I did get tired of soup real fast. Soft scrambled eggs and avocado were my go-to’s. And honestly, coffee paranoia is real... I ended up drinking it with a straw, which felt ridiculous but worked.
You nailed it with the coffee paranoia—that’s more common than people realize. Honestly, I always tell folks the jaw ache is normal, but if it lasts more than a couple days or gets worse, it’s worth a call. The straw trick with coffee? Not silly at all, though I’m a little skeptical about how much it actually protects the tooth. One thing I wish more people asked is how long the temp filling should last and what foods to avoid—sticky stuff is a big no. Eggs and avocado are perfect, but I’d skip anything chewy or crunchy for a bit.
- Agree on the coffee paranoia. I tried switching to iced coffee with a straw after my root canal, but honestly, not sure it did much except make me feel like I was “trying.”
- Jaw ache is real. Mine lasted about three days, then faded. Ibuprofen helped, but I’d have called if it dragged on.
- The temp filling thing—wish I’d asked more. Mine crumbled after a week because I got cocky with crunchy granola. Dentist said it’s supposed to last until the crown, but it’s definitely fragile.
- Food-wise: eggs and avocado are solid picks. I did a lot of soup and soft bread. Anything sticky (caramel, taffy) is a disaster. Even some “healthy” bars were too chewy.
- One thing I’d add: ask if you need antibiotics before/after. I didn’t, but a friend did for infection risk.
- Might be obvious, but I’d also check if you can brush/floss normally around the temp filling. I was paranoid about knocking it loose, but dentist said gentle brushing was fine.
- Cost side note: insurance covered most, but the crown after was pricier than I expected. Would’ve been nice to know up front.
All in all, the pain and weirdness faded way quicker than I thought. The biggest surprise was how careful I had to be eating for those first couple weeks. If you’re unsure about anything, even if it feels dumb, just ask—my dentist said they get these questions all the time.
Totally get the anxiety—I'm in the middle of this right now and every little crunch makes me nervous. Good to know the weirdness fades pretty quick. Thanks for sharing all the food tips, I’m definitely sticking to soft stuff for a while.
I’m right there with you on the anxiety. When I had mine, I was hyper-aware of every sound and sensation for days—like my jaw was suddenly made of glass. I kept second-guessing if I’d messed something up just by chewing. The soft food thing helped, but honestly, I wish I’d asked more about what’s normal pain versus what’s not. The weird tingling faded after a week or so, but it’s tough not to overthink every twinge.