If you have a cavity, having it filled by a dental filling at your dentist's office is a necessary procedure. Here, our dental team in Whitehorse offers some advice about what you should and shouldn't do after receiving a dental filling.
Do be careful about eating after a dental filling.
Depending on what kind of filling was placed in your mouth, you may be cautious about what you eat following the filling procedure. Since composite fillings harden instantly, however, you can actually drink and eat immediately following your procedure.
Some options for foods that are good to eat after a tooth filling procedure are foods that require minimal chewing like crackers, eggs and soup.
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.
You might want to refrain from cold or hot drinks for a few days follow your filling procedure. Hard or sticky and chewy foods should also be avoided for up to two weeks following your procedure. 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 take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain, discomfort or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
You may notice some moderate to mild discomfort or pain after your procedure. Most of the time, this sensation should decrease within 12 hours of the procedure and you will be able to eat without experiencing sensitivity in your teeth or irritation in your mouth.
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
Though it's true that you may feel some mild pain or discomfort, 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.