Whether you're due your first or your fifth, the prospect of a root canal treatment can be daunting.

We want you to face your root canal treatment with confidence, for the procedure to go as simply as possible and for there to be as little downtime as possible after your surgery.

By the time you're booked in for a root canal treatment at our clinic, Dr Rejto will have explained the need for the treatments and the steps involved, as well as giving you a chance to answer any questions.

While familiarising yourself with the root canal procedure will certainly help, there are a few practical steps you can take to make your treatment as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That's why we've prepared these five essential tips to help you prepare for your upcoming root canal treatment.

Stay hydrated and well-fed

Preparing for a root canal involves more than mental readiness – Mindful nutrition choices will help support your body's ability to heal and recover, thereby ensuring a smoother procedure and a more comfortable postoperative experience.

Proper hydration helps to both flush toxins from the body and transport nutrients to cells that need them, making it a crucial part of the healing process. Aim for 6 to 8 cups of sugar-free fluids per day leading up to your surgery.

Beyond this, you should try and consume nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil and almonds. At the same time, you should avoid excessively sticky or hard foods that may aggravate the affected tooth.

Steer clear of alcohol and tobacco

Talking of things you should avoid in the lead up to your root canal treatment, cutting out tobacco, recreational drugs and alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to your treatment (At least) is essential.

Both alcohol and tobacco, whether in the form of cigarettes, vapes or chewing substances, can significantly impact the body's ability to heal.

In terms of the treatment itself, however, both substances will interfere with local anaesthetics due to the way they affect blood flow. This can mean a slower onset, a shorter numbing period, a lessened numbing effect or all three!

Go shopping!

Post-operative soreness may occur in the treated area, but in most cases the tooth should settle down within a few days.

You may therefore need to adjust your diet until the targeted tooth heals and the sensitivity fades. We recommend you stock up before your root canal for both a smoother postoperative experience and to give you a task to focus on if your mind is racing, worrying about the upcoming treatment.

Soft foods that require little to no chewing are the way to go here. These could include:

  • Eggs
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Cooked rice and pasta
  • Smoothies and shakes
  • Porridge
  • Well-cooked vegetables
  • Cooked or canned fruits
  • Soft cheeses
  • Yoghurt
  • Soft-cooked meats

Following these steps will help ensure a smoother treatment, a minimised risk of complications and a stress-free recovery period after your treatment. Dr Rejto will recommend any additional aftercare steps you should take depending on your particular circumstances to help support a successful recovery.