Your Mount Pearl Invisalign® Provider
Do watch your choice of food after a dental filling
The type of food, and whether or not you eat at all, are determined by the type of dental filling that you received. 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.
If you are experiencing pain or swelling then you may want to take some time to wait for that to go down before you attempt to eat.
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 give in to the temptation of hard or sticky foods
Your tooth may be extra sensitive at first and so it may not be a good idea to eat anything hot or cold until the sensitivity goes away. 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.
Do relieve the pain using the recommended pain medications
After you've received your dental filling you may have some residual pain from the service itself. 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 does 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 avoid teeth brushing or flossing after you have 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 reach out to your dentist if you notice pain that won't go away
Pain that won't go away can be a sign that the infection has reached the interior of the tooth and may lead to more serious complications. You may need a root canal. Contact your dentist, who can address it for you promptly.