Do you have a cavity? Your dentist will need to place a dental filling. Our dentists in Burnaby offer some advice about what you should and should not do after receiving a filling.
Do be careful about eating after a dental filling.
You might want to be cautious about what you eat immediately after your filling procedure, depending on the type of dental filling you received. Since composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light used by your dentist, you can eat and drink immediately following the procedure.
Scrambled eggs, soup and crackers are all good options for foods to eat following a tooth filling. We recommend also looking for other foods that will require minimal chewing.
On the other hand, if you are experiencing pain or swelling, wait to eat until it decreases.
Because metal dental fillings will take some time to harden, most dentists will recommend waiting at least 24 hours after the dental filling has been placed to eat any solid foods.
To avoid biting your cheek, tongue or lips, you'll likely want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before trying to eat. Ask your dentist for advice about when the best time to eat will be after your filling.
Don't eat sticky, hard or chewy foods for up to two weeks.
You may not want to eat or drink anything particularly hot or cold for a few days after a dental filling. Hard, sticky or chewy foods are also a no-no - for up to two weeks. Anything you'll need to chew a lot and take hard bites on is probably out.
We also recommend avoiding 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 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 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.
