For several strong reasons, post-filling care is crucial. Dental fillings are a dependable way to repair damaged or rotting teeth and return them to normal function. The key to maintaining the filling’s durability is strict post filling maintenance.
Dentists use them to “fill in” decayed or damaged regions. Fillings come in various materials, including amalgam and tooth-colored alternatives like porcelain and composite resin. Depending on the substance used, certain dental fillings have a 20-year lifespan.
Factors Influencing Eating Time:
The time it takes to finish a meal depends on several factors, including the type of food being ingested and personal lifestyle choices.
Filling Material:
The modern amalgam consists of 40–54% mercury by weight combined with a metallic alloy (silver, tin, and copper, occasionally with trace amounts of zinc, indium, and palladium). Over eight to twenty-four hours, the resulting plastic mass settles and solidifies.
Dentist’s Recommendations:
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Try to clean in between your teeth at least once every day. Use dental floss, a specialized brush, or a wooden or plastic pick prescribed by a dentist. You can also use a water, floss threader, or floss holder.
The Extent of the Filling:
When teeth are weakened, they can become brittle and break quickly, but overall, they are solid and resilient to pressure and use. The tooth’s integrity is rarely at risk from little fillings, but it will be if you require a large filling.
Eating Guidelines:
Following specific dietary recommendations after a dental filling is crucial for promoting appropriate healing, preventing discomfort, and extending the filling’s lifespan.
When Can You Eat?
The type of filler material used affects the timing and food types. Since composites solidify instantly when exposed to UV light, you can begin eating about two hours after the filling. Silver filling recipients must wait a whole day for the fillings to harden to the proper consistency. Dentists typically urge patients to avoid eating or drinking anything for the first hour following filling placement. The individual must wait a full day before attempting to consume complex meals.
Foods to Avoid:
Sticky Foods: The filling may become dislodged by sticky foods like gum, toffee, and caramel.
Sugary Foods: Consuming sugary foods and drinks can make your teeth more sensitive and encourage the growth of bacteria in your mouth, which may result in more cavities.
Avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods right after dental filling. At the very least, you can experience discomfort in your teeth; at worst, the filling might fall out and necessitate additional work. Foods high in sugar have the potential to aggravate teeth and encourage the growth of bacteria surrounding the new filling.
Safe Foods to Eat Initially:
Mashed bananas and applesauce are excellent choices. To avoid sacrificing flavor to save your tooth, make a tasty smoothie and favorite without thinking about chewing right after a filling. It is usually advised to wait 24 hours before eating if you have silver fillings. You can eat immediately if you get a resin filling because they set instantly.
Risks of Eating Too Soon:
It’s normal to experience tooth sensitivity following a filling, particularly if you have a deep filling. However, any mild discomfort or numbness should disappear within two hours after leaving the clinic. If not, you might need a follow-up appointment because it could indicate that the filling has not adhered to your tooth well—sensitivity of the teeth. Consuming hot, cold, sweet, or sour meals and beverages and breathing in cold air can cause tooth sensitivity. Sharp, abrupt pain that penetrates deeply into dental nerve endings is possible. Dental bonding, fluoride, and desensitizing toothpaste are among the treatments.
Tips for Post-Filling Care:
Refraining from chewing on hard foods after you get a filling is crucial. The filling may come out as a result of excessive pressure. Make sure to bite into complex meals with your back teeth first if you do. This will lessen the chance of your filling falling out and help distribute the pressure appropriately. Chew on the other side of your mouth and pick the appropriate meals (more on that later). Alcohol might impede the healing process, so you should abstain from it for at least 24 hours following the filling. Staying hydrated is crucial following a dental filling, but to promote appropriate healing and reduce discomfort, watch what you drink.
Why Choose Smile Cove for a Dental Filling?
At Smile Cove Pediatric Dental, we offer dental filling in a friendly. Selecting the right orthodontist helps your child feel less anxious and uncomfortable while receiving treatment. Our strategy acknowledges that adults and children have unique requirements and need different types of care and attention. We’ll work closely with you to ensure your children get the best possible care.
If you need an orthodontist in Tampa, FL, we can help. Our passionate staff have been provided with the knowledge and understanding to make orthodontic treatment less stressful for you and your child.
Conclusion
Composite fillings harden quickly, allowing you to eat immediately after the procedure. While amalgam fillings take longer to set and require a minimum of 24 hours. Since metal dental fillings take a while to solidify, most dentists advise not eating any solid foods for at least 24 hours after obtaining the filling.
You should probably wait until the local anesthetic wears off before trying to eat to prevent biting your tongue, cheek, or lips. It is quite natural for the teeth to feel sensitive or uncomfortable. To prevent discomfort following the surgery, general dentists advise against eating anything sticky or firm. Candy, caramels, jerky, tough meats, and hard nuts are among the foods that can harm a tooth that has recently been filled.
FAQs
How Long Should I Avoid Hot Drinks?
Following a dental filling, teeth may experience heat and cold sensitivity several days to a week. Your dentist likely advises you to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. Consult your dentist if the sensitivity disappears after a few weeks.
Can I Brush My Teeth After a Filling?
Did you know that after receiving a dental filling, you do not need to wait to brush or floss your teeth? As long as you gently brush and floss the region around the tooth, you should be able to maintain your average level of cleanliness.
What to Do if a Filling Comes Loose?
Make an appointment as soon as possible by giving your dentist a call. Inform the dentist if you have any pain. Ask for advice on preventing damage to your exposed tooth if you cannot be seen immediately. Save the filling so the dentist can decide if it should be used again.