Help Me Get Nourishment. Please!

Last week, I had a root canal on one of my bottom left molars.

Turns out, I'm a bit of a genetic anomaly -- my tooth developed with FIVE roots, instead of four. This made for a more difficult and longer procedure (by about an hour), and a whole extra set of radiographs.

As a result, I now have three small canker sores which have merged into one large one. Every touch (whether by my tongue or a bit of food) causes excruciating, searing pain all the way into my jawbone. I sound completely dorky when I speak (try explaining this to your clients!), but my greatest issue right now is that I haven't been able to eat anything solid in a couple of days.

Does anyone have any suggestions for foods that are easy to eat, aren't particularly salty or sour, but not horribly bland, either? Grainy or mealy stuff like oatmeal or cream of wheat won't work, either. And really, I'm all tapped out on chicken broth!

Tags: Food & Drink, Food, Root Canal, Dentist

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Comments

[Melissa]

ouchie! Ooh, you poor thing! I've enjoyed the Imagine line of soups while sick and also while recovering from wisdom tooth removal. The corn soup is good with basil leaves snipped into it. Tomato soup, with rice when you're feeling better. I am a crazy broccoli lover, so I like that one too. Nothing will compare to your home cooking, but these are good and quick in a pinch. Feel better soon.

[Megan A.]

I don't have any food suggestions but I have a medicine suggestion. I suffer from excruciating canker sores in times of stress and use film-forming canker sore medicine such as this from Zilactin: http://tinyurl.com/fn2pe It hurts like the dickens when you first apply the gel (becuase of the alcohol content) but forms a film over the area that enables you to eat. But, sometimes, depending on the location of the canker sore, the film comes off rather soon from the motion of chewing...but at least you can eat something.

[Chubby]

That's horrible! I hope you heal quickly.
I know this sounds like nutritionally questionable advice, but in a similar situation, milkshakes were my saviour (seriously.)

Get well soon!
Chubby

[Amy]

How about creamy chocolate pudding? Banana milkshakes? Mashed potatoes with truffle oil? Get well soon!

[David]

Get thee to Walgreens!

I swear by Orabase, which is a gel that coveres and numbs anything in your mouth. (It may be similar to Zilactin.)

In the meantime, try rubbing a mixture of salt, vinegar, and lemon juice into the sores.

(ouch...Just kidding!!...and get well soon...xx)

[sam]

I am sorry. i feel for you but I am a little bit buzzed so all I can suggest is wine. I know you like it and it will make you happy. I like it too, so we are all good.
XXXXX

[Hande]

ouch. I think you are not supposed to eat milk products after an OP in your mouth, so I wouldn't suggest milkshakes. Try mashed fruits, mashed potatoes and polenta, but the latter two prepared without milk. Spice them up with nutmeg! I hope you feel better soon. Try to see it as a diet.

[Catherine]

When I had my wisdom teeth out, I lived on those drinkable yogurts, as well as chocolate nutrition drinks (Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure etc.) They're not gourmet but they might make a nice alternative to the other suggestions, for variation. Feel better...

[Beth]

Smoothies!!!!!

Or rum.

Or smoothies with Rum!

[shelly]

Ouch! Feel better soon!
I'd suggest drinking ayran or a salty lassy, but one of your commenters mentioned that dairy products aren't recommended post-root canal (wonder why?). Hmm... how about a berry almond milk smoothie? You can make your own almond milk or buy some. Combine 1 cup almond milk with 1 cup fresh mixed berries, throw in a banana (or half of one) and a couple of pitted dates, a bit of vanilla extract and blend. Use room temperature ingredients to avoid an ice cream headache.

[Rory]

Pretty much any canned soup would work if you puree it in the blender. Thin out with stock or water. Also, jamba juice is your friend.

Get better soon!

[Sean]

Aw, sweetheart! I've had some serious-ass dental work done in my lifetime. My favorite post-torture comfort food is pastine (you could use orzo or riso, but the pastine are nice and eentsy) cooked in lightly salted water, finished with a pat of butter. If you want to flavor it up a bit, you could just add saffron or fresh herbs. It's basically the stuff I was weaned on.

[Fatemeh]

Thanks, everyone!

I actually was able to gum down a veggie bun from Out the Door this evening, which is my first solid food in a few days. Yum!

[sam]

ginger ale!
I remember now.

[Mom J.]

Canker sores? There's a new product, Canker Cover, that is amazing - it's a pill-like patch that sticks to the sore and stops pain, prevents food irritation and heals most sores with just one patch. www.cankercover.com

[shuna fish lydon]

I second those emotions. And third and fourth them, unfortunately.

My favorite thing to drink during those times is this: a chocolate-pistachio milkshake left out to drink at room temperature. Not the best when all is well, but great when the mouth is revolting.

xo

[sarah]

fatemah - i JUST had a root canal done, too! and how weird is it that i had a weird thing in my root - two canals in one root. LOL!

anyway, shakes and smoothies are good, but damn, did i start craving stuff that was NOT sweet after about two days.

basically, any of those creamy pureed soups. let cheese melt on top, then let it cool to room temp.

[Fatemeh]

You guys are soooo good!

I am thrilled to advise that my mouth feels nearly 100% better -- I've had some loverly dinners this past week in Colorado, and will hopefully be posting soon!

[Jamie]

I just had a root canal too. My tooth was so infected they had to go in three seperate times. It has been over a week and it is still sore and I can't stop biting my tongue on the side. It's really raw and sore now. Does anyone know how long a root canal should hurt for? Thanks!

[Nikushia]

Can anyone tell me why I still can't feel my tongue? i had a root canal done two days ago.