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If you’ve got a cavity, having a dental filling placed is an essential remedial process that can restore the tooth and stop cavity related pain. The dentists from our five Toronto locations (Bay Adelaide Dental, Brookfield Place Dental, College Park Dental, King-York Dental and Richmond-Adelaide Dental) offer some advice on what you should and should not do after a filling.
Be a little more careful about eating right after a dental filling.
Depending on the type of filling that was placed, you may want to be cautious about what you eat right after you have a filling done.
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 enjoy eating following a tooth filling include soup, scrambled eggs and crackers. Look for food choices that requires minimal chewing.
If you experience any pain and swelling, it's a good idea to wait until it decreases before eating.
Metal dental fillings take longer 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 may want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat. Ask your dentist for advice about when the best time is to eat after your filling.
Avoid eating anything sticky, hard or chewy for up to two weeks.
It's a good idea to refrain from very hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days following a dental filling, sticky, hard or chewy foods are a definite 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 in order to prevent infection.
On the plus side: You don’t have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling!
Take an over-the-counter painkiller if you experience any pain, discomfort or tooth sensitivity after your filling.
After having a filling done, you may experience some mild to moderate discomfort and pain. Typically, 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 such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
If your pain, sensitivity or discomfort does not disappear after 24 hours, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to check on your filling, to ensure that an infection is not developing.