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What You Can & Can't Do Once You've Had A Dental Filling
After your dental filling, there are some things that you'll want to do to make sure to avoid complications after your procedure.
Eat carefully after your dental filling.
Depending on the type of filling that was placed, you may want to be cautious about what you eat immediately following the filling procedure. Because composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, you can eat and drink immediately following the procedure.
Some options for good foods to eat following a tooth filling include soup, scrambled eggs and crackers. Look for food that requires minimal chewing.
On the other hand, if there is pain and swelling, wait until it decreases before eating.
If you've received a metal dental filling, it may take a bit more time to harden so it is recommended that you wait 24 hours before you can eat any solid food.
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.
Avoiding overly hot or cold foods is recommended after your dental filling. Sticky, hard or chewy foods are also a no-no - for up to two weeks. Anything that will require you to take hard bites and chew a lot - such as meat - is probably out.
You’ll also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
Take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain 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.
Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to wait to brush your teeth or floss following your filling. Be sure to brush and floss gently around the tooth to keep the area clean.
Contact your dentist if you experience a persistent toothache
Many patients report feeling mild discomfort after their procedure, but a persistent sharp or throbbing toothache can indicate that the decay has reached your tooth's pulp. You may need a root canal. Contact your dentist, who can address it for you promptly.