Dental fillings are typically used when teeth have cavities. During the procedure, your dentist will use a drill to remove the decayed part of the tooth. Then, the area left after this will be filled with composite material. Below, we cover 3 foods to avoid after dental filling treatment.
3 Foods to Avoid After Dental Filling Treatment
To ensure that the filling stays in place and serves you for many years, you need to know what are 3 foods to avoid after dental filling treatment.
Why Should You Avoid Some Foods After Dental Filling Treatment?
In many cases, your dentist may recommend waiting for several hours after the procedure before having a meal. First of all, it is better to make sure that the anesthetic has worn off. This will prevent you from biting yourself while chewing.
Another reason you might need to wait before eating after the procedure is that the filling material might need to harden all the way. The time it takes will depend on the type of dental filling. For example, composite hardens almost instantaneously, while silver amalgam will need up to 24 hours.
Also, the location of the filling may affect wait time. Fillings on front teeth tend to take longer to set than fillings on back teeth. Additionally, if a filling is quite large, or if the dentist was not able to apply a sealant to the tooth due to some reason, you might be advised to wait longer before you can eat or chew on the side of the treated tooth.
Allowing time for your filling to solidify and also avoiding dislodging it means you will have to abstain from certain foods that can contribute to the issue. On top of that, the tooth and the soft tissue might be tender and sensitive for some time, so it might make consuming certain foods and beverages uncomfortable.
Foods to Avoid After Dental Filling Procedure:
Chewy and sticky foods that can pull your new dental filling out or put too much strain on the recently treated tooth. Such foods include chewing gum, candy bars, toffee and caramel, dried fruit and other food that require a lot of chewing or stick to your teeth.
Hard, crispy, and crunchy foods can also damage your new dental filling and put unnecessary pressure on the tooth. Examples include raw carrots and apples, popcorn, nuts, crackers, etc.
Very cold foods and drinks cause your teeth to contract, while very hot ones cause them to expand. Both put pressure on the filling and may cause pain.
It is best to choose soft foods of moderate temperatures for the first 24 hours after the dental filling treatment. You may also try chewing food on the opposite side of your mouth to the one where the treated tooth is located.
Other Tips for Dental Filling Care
Help your teeth heal faster after the procedure by following these tips:
Be Careful
Be careful not to bite your tongue, lips, and chicks while part of your mouth is still numb after the anesthetic.
Sometimes, teeth sensitivity can last several days after the procedure. Try using toothpaste design specifically for sensitive teeth. It can help reduce sensitivity.
Brush Safely
Brush the tooth with a new filling gently with a soft toothbrush for the first 24 hours after treatment.
Sometimes, a new dental filling can feel unnatural in your mouth for some time, right after the procedure. Usually, however, these feelings go away quite soon as you get used to your new filling. If, after several days, your bite keeps feeling unnatural and uncomfortable because of your new dental filling, consult your dentist. In many cases, it is possible to slightly adjust the filling so it feels natural in your mouth.
Keep Teeth Healthy
- Most importantly, maintain good oral hygiene to keep your newly treated tooth healthy for as long as possible and to avoid new cavities. Brush and floss your teeth twice every day. Make sure to remove food debris, plaque and bacteria from your mouth as well as you can. Visit your dental hygienist every 6 to 12 months to have a professional cleaning done.
- Regular dental check ups will also help make sure that all the arising issues are treated in a timely manner, before they can result in serious complications.
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If you need a consultation or a dental filling treatment, we will be glad to welcome you at the East Highland Dental Office. If you experience severe pain, we offer same day emergency appointments. Do not hesitate to give us a call and make an appointment with one of our highly qualified specialists. We will make sure that your teeth are as healthy as they can be.