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Do watch what foods you choose to eat after a dental filling.
There are certain types of dental filling that need time to cure before you can continue eating as usual. Because composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, 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.
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 indulge in sticky, hard foods for the first couple of weeks.
Your teeth may be more sensitive than usual, so you may want to refrain from hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days following a dental filling. For the first two weeks, you should also not eat any foods that are sticky, chewy or hard. 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 or prescription pain medication if you are experiencing pain.
You may notice some mild to moderate discomfort and pain following the filling. The majority of the time, you should notice that pain and swelling decrease within 12 hours and you can eat whatever you want without experiencing 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 continue with your regular oral hygiene routine.
Did you know that you don’t have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling? You will be able to continue with your usual dental hygiene and care as long as you are gentle.
Do contact your dentist for any ongoing pain concerns.
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. Get in touch with your Halifax dentist to have your tooth examined.
