If you get a cavity on one of your teeth your dentist will have to place a filling on it. Our Whitehorse dentists at Klondyke Dental Centre give you a list of what you should and should not do after getting a filling.
Do be careful about what you eat after a dental filling.
Based on the type of filling your dentist places on your cavity, you might have to be careful about what you eat directly after you have the filling procedure. If you get composite white fillings, they harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, so in this situation you would be able to eat and drink immediately following the procedure.
Several good options for food to eat after a tooth filling are, soup, scrambled eggs and crackers. Try to find foods that require 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 how long he suggests waiting before eating after you filling.
Don't eat hard, sticky, or chewy 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 not recommended for up to two weeks as well as, anything that will require you to take hard bites and chew a lot, such as meat.
You’ll also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you feel discomfort, pain, or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
You might have some mild to moderate discomfort and pain after the filling procedure. Thankfully, you should notice that pain and swelling subside within 12 hours, at this time you can eat what you want without having tooth sensitivity, or irritation around the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers that have acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve any physical pain or discomfort from the 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
You may feel some mild pain or discomfort, however if you experience a persistent sharp or throbbing toothache this 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 swiftly.