Dental filling aftercare: Important recovery tips – Tehran Dental Clinics

Dental filling aftercare: Important recovery tips

So, you had some tooth decay and needed a dental filling. Leaving the dentist’s office you may find your mouth feels numb and sore, so eating and drinking might be more complicated while your mouth gets back to normal. Dentists will recommend what you need to know about filling recovery and aftercare.

Dental Filling Aftercare: Tips and Reminders

After getting a dental filling, it is essential to follow the prescribed aftercare in order to ensure that you prevent damage to your teeth and the fillings. Here are some dental filling aftercare tips that you will need to follow closely.

While the anesthetic is wearing off

The anesthetic used by your dentist can wear off after two to four hours, although there are some anesthetics which can last up to seven hours. While the anesthetic is still in effect, the area where it has been applied will remain numb.

While your mouth is still numb, it is best to avoid foods and beverages that are too hot. Because your mouth is still numb, it can be difficult to assess the temperature of food and drinks and there is a risk that you can burn your mouth. You may also have some difficulty in controlling the food and beverages you consume while the anesthetic is still in effect.

You should also avoid eating while the anesthetic is still in effect because you might not feel it if you bite on your lip, tongue or cheek. If it is your child who got the dental fillings, pay close attention to him as kids find the numbing effect amazing and may do something that can hurt them while the anesthetic is still in effect.

Pain After a Dental Filling

One of the most common reasons you may experience pain after a dental filling may be because the dental filling itself could be too high. While your dentist does their best to get the filling height right the first time, you may notice that as you start to move your jaw, speak, and chew, the filling may not quite feel right. Contact your dentist about having the filling smoothed or reshaped. This is very important because if the filling is higher than the rest of your teeth it is at a higher risk of cracking.

Should you still experience toothache type symptoms after your new dental filling (such as throbbing, sharp pain or constant pain) it may be a sign that the decay is quite deep into the pulp of your tooth. If this is the case, a root canal may be needed. Contact your dentist if you think this may be the problem.

Pain in Teeth Beside the New Filling

After a dental filling, some people may experience pain in the teeth beside their tooth that received the filling. This is normal and does not indicate there is anything wrong with your teeth. Most of the time, the tooth with the new filling is just passing along signals to the neighbouring teeth. You should notice this pain decrease within one to two weeks.

Sensitivity After A Dental Filling

It is common to experience sensitivity to air and to cold or hot food (or drink items) for up to three weeks after a dental filling. You may also notice increased sensitivity from the pressure of biting on the new dental filling, particularly if the dental filling is for a deeper cavity. To avoid sensitive teeth after a filling, you can try using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. dentists also recommend that you avoid very hot or cold foods and for the first few weeks, try and chew you food on the other side of your mouth. If the sensitivity does not go away after two weeks, please contact our dentist office.

Dental Filling Sharp Edge or Discomfort

As mentioned, you may notice that once you start moving your jaw and/or once the anaesthetic wears off, the new dental filling is not as comfortable as it was when you were in the dentist’s chair. You may also notice the filling is too high or that there are some sharp edges that need to be smoothed out. Contact your dentist for a quick follow up to make sure it is addressed ASAP.

Treating Future Cavities with Dental Fillings

It is possible that you may end up with another cavity in the future. If you find your teeth are particularly sensitive after receiving a dental filling you can speak with your dentist about alternative dental filling options. Each person responds differently to different types of metal fillings. Your dentist can also use additional preventative measures such as a base, liner, or desensitizing agent.

Oral hygiene

dentists recommend that you brush your teeth carefully and rinse gently on the day of your filling.

What Not to Do After Getting a Filling

Dental fillings are common dental procedures to treat tooth decay. While many patients understand what to do after getting a filling, some may not be aware of practices to avoid. Following are things you should not do after getting your filling.

Avoid Chewing While Your Mouth Is Numb

After getting your filling, your mouth will feel numb. Make sure to avoid chewing on the numb side because you could end up biting your tongue, cheeks, or lips. If you’ve had fillings done on both sides, wait until the anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat.

Avoid Biting Too Hard

Biting down too hard can cause damage to your fillings. Your new restorations can only handle so much pressure. The larger they are, the weaker they are. Make sure to take gentle bites to preserve your fillings.

Refrain from Grinding Your Teeth

If you habitually grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism; you can end up wearing down the surfaces of your teeth, along with chipping or cracking your new fillings. If needed, we can fit you with a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

How Long Before You Can Eat After a Filling?

You may have heard that you should avoid chewing in the area of a dental filling for at least 24 hours after having a cavity repaired.

However, after filling a cavity, your dentist will have specific instructions for you to follow regarding when and what to eat.

Certain types of fillings may affect your wait time. We share some recommended tips for eating following a tooth filling.

The type of filling may affect wait time

Your wait time may be different based on the type of filling you get.

• Amalgam (silver) filling.This type of filling takes about 24 hours to completely harden and reach maximum strength. Your dentist will likely recommend waiting for at least 24 hours before chewing on the side of your mouth where the filling is located.
• Composite (white/tooth-colored) filling.A composite filling hardens immediately once a dentist puts a blue UV light on your tooth. You can usually eat as soon as you leave your dentist’s office. However, your dentist may recommend waiting for at least 2 hours before chewing on the filling if you’re still numb.

Other variables that can affect eating after a filling

Along with waiting for your filling to properly set, other things that can affect eating post-filling include:

Gum tissue discomfort

During your procedure, the gum tissue near the tooth being filled may become irritated, resulting in soreness. This may affect your comfort level in chewing on that side of your mouth for a few days.

You can rinse with warm salt water to help your gums feel better (1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water).

Different bite

Sometimes your bite may feel different after a filling, as if your teeth don’t come together like usual.

If you don’t get used to the new bite in a few days and your bite still feels uneven, call your dentist. They can adjust the filling so your teeth bite together normally again.

Tips for eating after a filling

Most people experience some level of tenderness after their dentist has filled one of their teeth. Here are some practical tips you can follow to minimize discomfort:

• Bite and chew carefully.Your jaw can exert a great deal of pressure when biting, so biting down hard following a filling can result in pain. Consider not biting all the way through your food and chewing carefully on the opposite side of the new filling.
• Avoid hard foods.Chewing on hard candy, nuts, ice, and other hard foods can cause pain by exerting too much pressure on the teeth. Biting hard foods can also dislodge a new silver filling that hasn’t had time to set.
• Avoid sticky foods.Eating sticky foods too soon after a filling can dislodge your new filling. This doesn’t happen often and is more likely with amalgam fillings than composite fillings.
• Take your time.By eating slowly, you can avoid biting down too hard and chewing on the side of your mouth where your new filling is located.
• Avoid sugary foods.Not only can sugary foods and drinks potentially trigger sensitivity, they can promote the growth of bacteria around your new filling.
• Avoid very hot and cold food and beverages.By eating or drinking foods and drinks with moderate temperature, you have a better chance of not triggering sensitivities.
• Chew with your mouth closed.If your teeth are sensitive to heat and cold, even cold air can trigger discomfort. By keeping your mouth closed, you lower the chance of cold air getting into your mouth.