Keeping that post-root canal cheek puff under control
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Right after my root canal, my face kinda ballooned up on one side. I freaked out a bit, but here’s what helped: cold packs for 10-15 mins on/off, slept propped up so fluid wouldn’t pool, and stuck to soft foods. Ibuprofen was my friend too. Still, took a few days for swelling to really go down. Anyone else have tricks for speeding up the process or making it less annoying? My dentist just said “wait it out” - but that’s easier said than done...
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That chipmunk look is no joke - been there, done that, and avoided mirrors for a week. I remember trying to sip soup through a straw and just giving up halfway. Honestly, I found that gently massaging the area (once the worst swelling went down) helped a bit, though my dentist gave me the same “just wait” speech. Not much else to do except binge-watch something distracting and pretend you’re auditioning for a squirrel documentary...
Haha, the squirrel documentary thing made me laugh - been there, too. I actually tried sleeping propped up with extra pillows and it seemed to help a bit with the morning swelling. Did anyone else have trouble eating even soft foods for a few days? Mashed potatoes were my best friend.
I totally get where you’re coming from - chewing was a challenge for me too, even with soft foods. Did you notice any weird tingling or numbness? I kept worrying it wasn’t normal, but the mashed potatoes were a lifesaver. Hang in there, it does get better.
Tingling and numbness usually fade for me after a day or two, unless the swelling is pushing on a nerve. Had one round where my lip felt half-asleep for almost a week - dentist said it was just inflammation, but yeah, freaked me out. Keeping your head elevated helps, but honestly, patience is the hardest part. Mashed potatoes are definitely a solid move; I relied on yogurt and eggs too.
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