Do watch what you eat after having a dental filling.
The foods you eat following a dental filling will mainly depend on the type of filling that you have done. 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. It is ideal to choose foods that won't need a lot of 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 chew on hard or sticky foods for the few couple of weeks.
You may want to refrain from hot or cold drinks and foods for a few days following a dental filling. Sticky, hard or chewy foods should be avoided- for up to two weeks. Anything that will require you to take hard bites and chew a lot - such as meat - is probably out.
Acidic foods should always be avoided in order to help prevent infections from developing.
Do take pain medication as recommended for any discomfort.
After you have a dental filling, there may be some mild pain in the surrounding area. 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 your regular oral hygiene routine.
If you have a dental filling placed then you may be wondering if you can brush or floss your teeth. You will be able to continue with regular oral hygiene as long as you do so gently.
Do contact your dentist if you have continued pain or other 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. Contact your dentists as soon as possible if you are having symptoms indicating the need for a root canal.