Root canal treatment is the procedure associated with teeth and is performed by a skilled Dentist. When the tooth gets decayed to the extent that the infection starts causing pain, the Dentist advises you for a filling or root canal treatment. Filling of amalgam is only for those cavity inflicted teeth that have small infections on the white part. But when the infection reaches the base or attachment of teeth, it needs to be cleared off and sealed. This is root canal treatment and it usually takes 2 to 4 sittings depending upon the intensity of infection to complete the procedure.   But even after the procedure is completed some care has to be taken for a while so that the closed end does not open or the infection is not repeated.

Some of the steps for taking care of teeth post root canal are mentioned here: 

• First and foremost thing is do not eat from the side where you have been treated. Since the area is numb for a long time due to painful treatment, you should try to avoid any contact of food or water with it so that it does not get hurt again. 
• When you come home after the treatment keep an ice pack on the treated portion at least for half an hour so as to reduce the inflammation. If the swelling still persists use the ice pack treatment after every hour for few minutes. This certainly helps!
• Usually the surgeon prescribes a pain relieving medicine of ample capacity to minimize the pain. This is necessary because as the anesthesia starts wearing off, you can start feeling the throbbing pain again and that is unbearable. Usually, one or two doses are enough, but the doctor may continue mild pain relievers for another day or so.
• Along with pain relievers, your surgeon will also prescribe antibiotics to control the infection. You should complete the course of antibiotics as this help to completely kill the infection in the teeth. If the course is left incomplete then the infection traces can remain in the teeth and also can recur.
• You can sleep with your head in an ‘up’ position for the first couple of days. For this you can use 2 to 3 pillows. This will help in giving some amount of relief.
• Although you can eat whatever you want, it is better to avoid eating hard food particles and soft diet should be mostly included in your intake. Also do not chew from the side where the root canal treatment has been done. Eating too hot or chilled food items can disturb healing process and can also cause pain.
• If you are a smoker, try not to smoke for the first 24 hours as it can affect the healing process. Drinking of beverages and alcohol too can have negative effect on the healing of the treated part. 
• Try to avoid doing hard physical exercises or hard work as disturbance to any other muscles or veins can cause pain in the treated area.

If you will take care of all these instructions, your teeth will heal properly post root canal and you will be even able to eat all types of crunchy and savory food items from that side.