Patients are advised to rinse their mouths after a dental filling procedure. There may be debris left behind or food from eating, which can be uncomfortable. Rinsing with salt-water or a gentle mouthwash with no alcohol a few times after a dental filling can be helpful in cleansing the mouth.
It is best to avoid any hard, chewy, or sticky foods after a dental filling for up to two weeks. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity you may also benefit from avoiding hot or cold drinks and foods. There is no need to wait to brush your teeth after a dental 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.
For anyone unaware, dental fillings can be amalgam (metal) or composite (white). Patients usually find that amalgam fillings take around 24 hours to set, whereas white composite fillings are set whilst you're still in the practice.
It's normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Your gums may be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water (put a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit) to reduce pain and swelling.
You should be able to brush normally after the 24 hours has passed and the filling settles. Avoid Chewy And Hot Foods – When consuming food, sensitivity should be expected just after the filling is applied. Avoid foods that are at a hot temperature.
Rinse three times a day with warm salt water (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit) to reduce pain and swelling.
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.
Dentists recommend patients who have had tooth filling to wait at least 2 hours before they resume eating anything. Even then, you should avoid very hard or sticky foods. Chewing a pizza requires greater effort by your teeth, especially when you're eating chicken or beef pizza.
Recommended wait time: If the filling is made of metal it's best to wait 24 hours for the filling to harden. If the filling is resin-based, it hardens instantly so you can eat or drink immediately.
You can certainly drink water after getting a filling. Just make sure it's not too hot or too cold as this can lead to severe sensitivity and discomfort. Initially, it's a smart idea to stick to lukewarm beverages and foods.
Foods that are okay to eat after a filling include mashed potatoes, yogurt, cheese, soups, pasta, and chili. Smoothies are also a good choice if you are experiencing a little soreness.
How long until my filling is okay? You will be able to eat and drink normally after approximately two to four weeks, with the sensitivity getting better each day. However, this varies from patient to patient and depends on the severity and size of the filling.
There is no recovery period after getting a filling, so patients are free to return to their regular activities. Some patients might experience increased teeth sensitivity following their treatment.
Dental fillings are used as a restorative measure in teeth that have been affected by decay or damage. It is a common procedure and most fillings are carried out without any issues, but sometimes dentists may perform the treatment poorly, which can lead to a number of problems as a result.
You may want to avoid consuming hot drinks like coffee or tea following a filling treatment as your gums and tooth will still be numb. Due to the local anaesthetic inserted into your gums, the affects of this may take a few hours to wear off.
White fillings are also quite inexpensive compared to other options like crowns, and the process itself can be a lot quicker. The longevity of this type of filling is decent usually lasting around 7 to 15 years, as long as they are kept in good condition.
The maximum time required for filling a moderate cavity doesn't exceed 40 minutes per tooth. Therefore if you have three intermediate holes, expect to spend about a couple of hours at the dentist's office to restore your tooth to full functionality with dental fillings.
There are many signs that your filling may need to be replaced. Some of these include sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages, an uneven surface, cracking, chipping, or decay around the filling, a broken tooth again, shifting of a tooth's position, or a change in the color of a tooth after it has been filled.
You Can Feel That It's Gone
Your tongue will let you know soon enough. Once your tongue comes into contact with the affected tooth, you'll feel right away that the filling is gone. You'll feel an indentation or hole left by the lost filling.
Refrain from using whitening products and toothpaste as the will increase sensitivity after fillings are completed.