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Your dentist will need to place a dental filling if one of your teeth has a cavity. Today, our dentists in Manitoba share some of the things you should and should not do following a dental filling procedure.
Do be careful eating after getting a dental filling.
Depending on the kind of filling you have gotten, you might want to be careful of what you eat immediately after getting a filling. Since composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, you will be able to eat and drink immediately after the procedure.
A few good options for foods to eat after a dental filling includes crackers, scrambled eggs, and soup. Find foods that require minimal chewing.
However, if you are experiencing swelling and pain, wait until it alleviates before eating.
Metal dental fillings require some time to harden, so many dentists will suggest waiting at least 24 hours after getting the dental filling to eat any solid foods.
To prevent biting your cheeks, lips, or tongue, you will probably want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before trying to eat. Ask your dentist how long you should wait after your filling to eat.
Don't eat hard, chewy, or sticky foods for up to two 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 are also a 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 to prevent infection.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you have discomfort, pain, or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
You might experience mild to moderate discomfort and pain after your filling. Most of the time, you should notice that the swelling and pain decreases in about 12 hours and you can eat whatever you want without experiencing irritation or tooth sensitivity around the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
If your pain, sensitivity, or discomfort doesn't go away after 24 hours, contact your dentist to book an appointment to check on your filling, and make sure it isn't getting infected.
Don't hesitate to floss or brush your teeth 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 call your dentist if you have 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.