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Do be careful about eating after a dental filling.
Depending on the type of filling used, you may want to be cautious about what you eat immediately after the procedure. Because composite white fillings harden instantly when exposed to the blue light used by your dentist, you can eat and drink immediately after the procedure.
Some options for good foods to eat following a tooth filling include soup, scrambled eggs and crackers. Look for food that requires minimal chewing.
On the other hand, if there is pain and swelling, wait until it decreases before eating.
Metal dental fillings take a bit of time to harden, so most dentists will recommend waiting at least 24 hours after receiving the dental filling to eat any solid foods.
To avoid biting your lips, cheek, or tongue, you will likely want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat. Ask your dentist for advice about when is the best time to eat after your filling.
Don't eat sticky, hard or chewy foods for up to two weeks.
For a few days after getting a dental filling, you might want to avoid foods and beverages that are hot or cold. For up to two weeks, it's best to avoid foods that are sticky, hard, or chewy. Anything that will make you take large, chomp-inducing bites, like meat, is probably off-limits.
You’ll also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
Do take over-the-counter painkillers if you notice pain, discomfort or tooth sensitivity after a filling.
Following the filling, you may experience some mild to moderate discomfort and pain. The majority of the time, you should notice that the pain and swelling have subsided within 12 hours and that you can eat whatever you want without experiencing tooth sensitivity or irritation around the area.
Take over-the-counter painkillers with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
In the event, pain, sensitivity or discomfort do not disappear after 24 hours, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to check on your filling, to ensure that infection is not developing.
Don't hesitate to brush your teeth or floss after a filling.
You don't need to wait after getting a dental filling to brush your teeth or floss. You should be able to maintain normal hygiene as long as you gently brush and carefully floss around the tooth.
Do contact your dentist if you experience a persistent toothache
While you may experience some mild pain or discomfort, a persistent sharp or throbbing toothache may indicate that the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth. You might require a root canal. Contact your dentist right away so that he or she can take care of it.