I’m still sticking mostly to soft stuff because the idea of biting into something crunchy freaks me out a bit.
Ha, I totally get you. But honestly, after my root canal, I was back to eating chips and popcorn (I know, probably not dentist-approved) way sooner than I should’ve been. Mostly because I didn’t want to waste the snacks I’d already bought—those things aren’t cheap. My wallet hurts more than my tooth ever did.
I actually think overthinking it made me notice more “weird” sensations than there really were. Like, every time I chewed on that side, I’d be waiting for something to go wrong, but half the time it was just normal post-dentist stuff. Tingling, pressure, even a bit of soreness… all par for the course in my experience.
I’m not saying everyone should just dive into crunchy food right away, but sometimes being too cautious just drags out the stress (and makes you spend more on yogurt and applesauce). For me, getting back to normal eating helped me stop obsessing over every twinge. Worst case scenario? You’ll know real quick if you’re not ready for kettle chips yet.
I get wanting to get back to regular food, but I’d be careful. My kid had a root canal not long ago, and the dentist was really clear about sticking to soft foods for at least a few days—she said chewing on crunchy stuff too soon could crack the tooth or mess up the temporary filling. Maybe I’m just overprotective, but honestly, I’d rather throw out a bag of chips than risk another dental bill. The anxiety of something going wrong is worse than missing out on snacks for a bit...
I totally get where you're coming from. After my own root canal, I was super tempted to eat “normal” food again—especially since the pain was finally gone. But my dentist gave me the same warning about crunchy stuff. I remember thinking, “How bad could it really be?” but then she showed me a picture of a cracked temporary filling and... yeah, I stuck with mashed potatoes and yogurt for a few days.
Honestly, the waiting was annoying, but it paid off. I had braces before too, so I’m kind of used to the whole soft-food diet. It’s not fun, but it’s way better than risking another round in the dentist’s chair or having to redo the work. I did try some pasta that was a little firmer than I should’ve had, and I could feel the tooth was sensitive—kind of like a dull ache. That was enough to convince me to chill out and just wait.
It’s not being overprotective at all. Dental work’s expensive and honestly, the anxiety about messing it up is real. I’d rather play it safe for a few days and avoid the stress. Plus, there’s always ice cream as a consolation prize…
Man, I feel you on the temptation to go back to “normal” food right away. It’s wild how your brain is like “pain’s gone, time for chips,” and then you remember that your tooth is basically in timeout for a while. I tried to sneak in a slice of pizza a couple days after mine, thinking if I just chewed on the other side it’d be fine. Spoiler: not fine. My whole jaw felt weird and I got paranoid I’d messed something up, so it was back to the mashed potatoes and eggs for me.
The soft-food diet is honestly the worst part. I had wisdom teeth out a few years ago and thought I was done with all that, but nope—root canal brings it right back. At least this time I didn’t have chipmunk cheeks, so small wins? But yeah, you’re totally right—dental work costs way too much to risk having to get it redone. I’d rather be bored with my food for a week than get another bill.
I do think dentists can be a little over-cautious sometimes, but after seeing some horror stories online (and that cracked temp filling you mentioned—yikes), I get why they hammer the point home. The anxiety about messing it up is so real. I kept checking the mirror every day like something was gonna fall out.
And ice cream… honestly, the only upside to dental procedures. I went through like three pints of Ben & Jerry’s because hey, doctor’s orders, right? If there’s ever a reason to justify eating dessert for dinner, this is it.
Glad you’re on the mend, though. That first pain-free day after a root canal is such a relief.
That soft-food diet is no joke. I tried to get creative with it just to keep my sanity—scrambled eggs, yogurt, even blended up some soup that probably wasn’t meant to be blended. But yeah, the cost of messing up is way scarier than a boring menu. I’m with you on the ice cream though, it’s like the only silver lining. Did your insurance cover most of your root canal? Mine only did part and I was floored by the bill.
