If you have a cavity your dentist will need to place a dental filling. Here, our Airdrie dentists provide you with advice on what you should and shouldn't do after getting a filling.
Do be careful when eating after a dental filling.
Depending on what type of filling you get, you might want to be careful about what you eat directly after the filling procedure. Since white composite fillings harden immediately beneath the blue light your dentist uses, you will be able to drink and eat right after the procedure.
We recommend eating foods such as scrambled eggs, crackers, soup, and other foods that require minimal chewing after getting a dental filling.
However, if you are experiencing swelling and pain, wait until it starts going away 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 foods that are hard, chewy, or sticky for up to two weeks.
You might want to avoid hot or cold food and drinks for several days after 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 feel tooth sensitivity, discomfort, or pain after a filling.
You might experience mild to moderate discomfort and pain after your filling. In most situations, the pain and swelling should decrease within 12 hours and you could eat anything you like without having any 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 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 or floss your teeth 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 call your dentist if you have 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.