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If you have developed a cavity in your smile, having a dental filling placed by your dentist is a necessary procedure. Here, our Toronto 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 that was placed, you may want to be cautious about what you eat after the filling procedure. Since composite white fillings harden instantly under the special curing light in your dentist's office, 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 pain and swelling develop after your filling placement, wait until it decreases before eating anything.
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, checks or tongue, you will probably want to wait until local anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat anything. Ask your dentist for any advice about when the best time to eat after your filling is.
Don't eat sticky, hard 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 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.
You may notice mild to moderate discomfort and pain following the filling. Most of the time, you should notice that any pain or swelling will decrease within 12 hours of the procedure, at which point you will be able to eat whatever you want without experiencing any tooth sensitivity or irritation around the affected 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.
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.