What Not To Do After Getting Dental Fillings?
Teeth cavities are tiny holes that form on teeth. Mostly, cavities result from bacteria attacks and enamel erosion from high acidity. A cavity will likely deepen when left untreated, leading to abscesses, decay, loose teeth, tooth loss, jawbone damage, and more complications.
A dental filling is a common procedure for filling tooth cavities. The treatment involves drilling through the infected tooth and removing any infected tissues. Next, the dentist cleans, disinfects, and fills the cavities with a dental filling.
Usually, there are several types of filling materials that you can use, including silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, composite, and glass ionomer. The filling you get will depend on your budget, preferences, condition, and dentist’s recommendation. Our Plainfield dentist will help you choose the ideal material for your filling.
What Not To Do After Tooth Filling
Getting a dental filling is a simple, quick, and painless procedure. Once the dentist has filled your tooth, your dentist will give you a few aftercare instructions to ensure the filling stays healthy for the long term. Contact our Berkeley Heights dentist for more information about dental fillings treatment and aftercare.
Among the instructions your dentist will give you, there are certain things that you must avoid after getting a filling. These include:
- Hard Food Not to Eat After Filling
Immediately after the procedure, it’s good to refrain from eating hard, sticky, or chewy food items for the next few days. Avoid things like meat, peanuts, chips, popcorn, and granola.
Having such food can cause sensitivity and pain, dislodge the filling, cause the treated tooth to crack or break, and other complications. Soft food choices to include in your diet include eggs, porridge, mashed potatoes, soups, yogurt, oatmeal, and soft vegetables and fruits.
- Do Not Disturb the Filling.
After the filling procedure, you might want to touch the filling with your fingers or tongue. Doing this can cause dislodge or loosen the filling, increasing your risk of infections. If your filling feels uncomfortable or loose, notify your dentist immediately to resolve it.
- Do Not Bite Too Hard.
A new filling can’t handle much pressure. Even with a soft diet, ensure you bite and chew while avoiding the filled tooth. A larger filling is particularly weaker.
- Do Not Grind Your Teeth.
Before getting any dental procedure, you should be upfront with your dentist about existing medical conditions like bruxism. If you grind your teeth at night, there’s a risk of dislodging, cracking, or wearing down the filling. Wearing a nightguard can help reduce the effects of teeth grinding on your filling.
- Do Not Take Hot or Cold Beverages.
If you had a silver amalgam filling, extreme temperatures can cause the filling to crack or chip. Additionally, you’re likely to experience increased pain and sensitivity. For that reason, avoid hot or cold foods and beverages. Instead, consume cool to averagely warm items.
- Don’t Ignore Persistent Pain or Sensitivity.
Minimal pain and sensitivity are normal after a tooth filling procedure. However, if the side effects worsen or persist for a week, it could signify that something is wrong. Visit a dental office near you or contact our New Providence dentist for resolving the problem.
- Avoid Sugary Items.
Sugary foods and beverages can also trigger teeth sensitivity like, cold and hot items. They can also encourage bacteria growth around the new filling, leading to decay further.
- Do Not Eat While Numb
You’ll be numbed during the filling procedure to keep you relaxed and pain-free. After the procedure, the anesthetic may take time to wear off, meaning your mouth will still be numb. Until the anesthetic wears off, avoid eating as you can accidentally hurt your cheeks or tongue without knowing.
Additional Aftercare Tips
Use these tips to facilitate faster recovery after a dental filling:
- Eat a soft diet
- Brush and floss gently around the filled tooth
- Wear a nightguard for bruxism
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports
- Schedule follow-up dental appointments
Schedule An Appointment Today
Are you interested in dental fillings, or would you like to learn more about dental fillings aftercare? Contact Jersey Smile to book your appointment today.
FAQ's
Avoid chewing on the side that has been treated until numbness fully wears off. Biting your cheek or tongue while numb can cause accidental injury.
If a composite filling was placed, you can usually eat once the numbness subsides. However, it’s best to avoid hard or sticky foods for several hours.
Hard foods may place pressure on the newly restored tooth, increasing sensitivity or discomfort during the initial adjustment period.
Some temporary sensitivity to temperature is normal. Avoiding very hot or cold beverages for the first day may help reduce discomfort. A dentist in Berkeley Heights, NJ, can evaluate prolonged sensitivity.
It is important to brush gently around the treated tooth to avoid disturbing the filling. Additionally, regular flossing is crucial to prevent plaque from accumulating along the edges of the filling.
It is highly advisable to refrain from chewing gum for a minimum of 24 hours. The sticky texture of gum can tug at the surface of the filling, potentially leading to discomfort or irritation as your tooth begins to acclimate to the change. Allowing this adjustment period can aid in ensuring a smoother healing process and optimizing the longevity of your dental work.
If you grind or clench, excessive pressure may affect the filling’s comfort. Discussing symptoms with a Berkeley Heights dentist may help determine whether a nightguard is appropriate.
It is important to avoid chewing until the numbness from dental procedures wears off, as doing so can lead to accidental biting of soft tissues in the mouth. Additionally, applying heavy pressure while adjusting to new dental work can heighten sensitivity or result in an uneven bite. To minimize these risks, it is advisable to wait until full sensation has returned before resuming normal eating habits.
Failure to follow care instructions may lead to prolonged sensitivity, discomfort, or filling wear. Maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding excessive pressure supports healing and long-term function. If concerns arise, contacting a dentist near me ensures timely evaluation.
If pain persists beyond several days, worsens with pressure, or feels sharp when biting, professional assessment is recommended. Early evaluation helps determine whether bite adjustment or further care is needed.