After a filling or root canal your tooth many ache some, have a dull pain, or be sensitive. While this is normal, there are some things you can do to avoid tooth sensitivity after a filling or root canal. The following is a list of 5:

1. Don't chew on that side: obviously you will want to eventually start chewing on the side of your mouth that you had work done, but for a couple of days it is best to simply leave it alone. Biting and chewing may cause sensitivity because the nerves around the tooth have been inflamed because of the conditions that existed before treatment was started and are still inflamed due to the manipulation of the tooth during treatment. So, time is the best medicine to allow them to go down and return to normal.

2. Rinse with warm salt-water: for the next two days will help get rid of some pain and sensitivity. Warm salt water can also kill any remaining bacteria around the tooth, which leads to better recovery.

3. Ice it. If you hurt your ankle you will likely ice it, so it does not swell, and you should do the same for your mouth. So, you might be thinking, "How does icing it help with sensitivity?" the answer is simply that by minimizing the swelling you give your tooth a chance to heal better, and that will keep it from being sensitive as long. Apply the ice pack every hour for about ten minutes during the first 4-6 hours after work is done. (You can use frozen vegetables like peas if you do not have an icepack, it is just as effective.) Along with the ice, you should probably take something for pain-relief within one hour of leaving the dental office. The reason for this time frame is to get the medication into your blood system before the anesthesia that was administered during the work begins to subside. It lessens your awareness of the sensitivity, which is a good thing because after a tooth is worked on, the area around it is generally very sensitive for a few days after. (do not take Asprin or asprin containing medicines, go for ibuprofen or Advil.)

4. Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights.  This will keep blood flow and circulation going well and this in turn leads to faster healing. With this in mind, you will want to greater ensure that your body heals as quickly as possible by avoiding drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, as well as strenuous exercise in the first few days of recovery. These can thin your blood and cause your mouth to bleed more, and it can slow healing. So, take it easy and your mouth will be far less sensitive.

5. Eat a soft diet for at least two days: While you do not want to cripple yourself, or make yourself a slave to your dental work, you do want to give your teeth the best chance possible for speedy recovery. One way to do this is to not put stress on them, so eat soft foods, and remember not to chew on the treated side. It is also important to note you're your nerve endings may have been slightly exposed and can be extremely temperature sensitive for a few days, so it is best to avoid very hot or cold foods during the healing process. Also, your dentist should caution you to avoid crunchy or hard foods which could cause the tooth without a crown to fracture, which would lead to much greater levels of sensitivity.