If you have a cavity, having a dental filling placed by your dentist is a necessary procedure. Our Winnipeg dentists offer some advice about what you should and should not do after a filling.
Do be careful about eating after a dental filling.
Depending on the type of filling you've had placed, you may want to be careful about what you eat immediately after the filling procedure. Since composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light used by your dentist, you'll be able to 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.
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 chewy, hard or sticky foods for up to two weeks.
You may want to refrain from hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days following a 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.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain, discomfort or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
After receiving the filling, you may notice some mild to moderate discomfort and pain. Most of the time, you should notice pain and swelling decline within 12 hours and you'll be able to eat whatever you'd like without experiencing irritation or sensitivity surrounding the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers with acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort following a dental filling.
If pain, discomfort or sensitivity do not disappear after 24 hours, contact your dentist to book an appointment so we can check on your filling, to ensure that infection is not developing.
Don't hesitate to brush your teeth or floss after a filling.
Remember that you won't have to wait to brush or floss your teeth after a dental filling? As long as you brush gently and floss carefully around the tooth, there should be no problem keeping 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.