If have a cavity, getting a filling placed by your dentist is a mandatory process. Our dentists in Edmonton share some helpful advice on what you should and shouldn't do following a dental filling.
Do be careful eating after a dental filling.
Based on the type of filling your dentist has placed, you might want to be careful about what you eat right after the filling procedure. Because composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, you can eat and drink immediately following the procedure.
Some good food choices of what to eat following a tooth filling include soup, scrambled eggs and crackers. Find foods that require minimal chewing.
However, if there is pain and swelling, wait until it decreases before eating.
Metal dental fillings take a little more time to harden, so most dentists will suggest waiting 24 hours minimum after receiving the dental filling to eat any solid foods.
To avoid biting your tongue, lips or cheek you will most likely want to wait til 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 sticky, hard or chewy foods for up to two weeks.
You might want to keep away from hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days following a dental filling. Hard, chewy or sticky foods are also a big 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 will also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
A plus: You do not have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain, tooth sensitivity or discomfort after a filling.
You might notice some mild to moderate pain and discomfort after the filling. Most of the time, you should notice that the pain and swelling go down within 12 hours and you can eat what you want without experiencing any tooth sensitivity, or irritation around the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
If the, pain, sensitivity or discomfort does not go away after 24 hours, contact your dentist to book an appointment to check on your filling, to make sure an infection isn't developing.