Do be careful about eating after a dental filling.
After getting a filling, it's important to be mindful of your diet, especially based on the type of filling you received. Composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light used by your dentist, allowing you to eat and drink right after the procedure.
To ensure a smooth recovery, opt for soft foods that require minimal chewing. Good options include soup, scrambled eggs, and crackers.
On the other hand, if there is pain and swelling, wait until it decreases before eating.
Metal dental fillings take a bit of time to harden, so most dentists will recommend waiting at least 24 hours after receiving the dental filling to eat any solid foods.
To avoid biting your lips, cheek, or tongue, you will likely want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat. Ask your dentist for advice about when is the best time to eat after your filling.
Don't eat sticky, hard or chewy foods for up to two weeks.
It's advisable to avoid consuming hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days after having a dental filling. Additionally, it's best to steer clear of sticky, hard, or chewy foods for up to two weeks. Foods that require substantial biting and extensive chewing, like meat, are probably not recommended during this time.
You’ll also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain, discomfort or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
You may notice some mild to moderate discomfort and pain following the filling. The majority of the time, you should notice that pain and swelling decrease within 12 hours and you can eat whatever you want without experiencing tooth sensitivity, or irritation around the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
In the event, pain, sensitivity or discomfort do not disappear after 24 hours, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to check on your filling, to ensure that infection is not developing.
Don't hesitate to brush your teeth or floss after a filling.
Did you know that you don’t have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling? As long as you brush gently and floss carefully around the tooth, you should be able to keep the area clean as usual.
Do contact your dentist if you experience a persistent toothache
While it's normal to experience mild pain or discomfort, a persistent sharp or throbbing toothache may indicate that the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth. In such cases, a root canal may be necessary. It's important to reach out to your dentist promptly, as they can address the issue and provide appropriate treatment.