Table of Contents
What to eat after tooth filling
Not to eat or damage your filling until it get sets
Different filling material will have different setting time dentist will tell you this time duration.Being aware of the setting time will give you a general time frame for which you should be especially careful not to inflict any damage on the filling.
Composite filling – set immediately withblue light
Glass monomers cement (gic) may take 12hours for them to feel hard
Silver filling –takes 48 hours to set completely
Take medication if require.
Generally medicine is not require in simple filling. Ask your dentist if you need to take pain medication to manage post-operative sensitivity or pain.
Sensitivity will generally disappear within one week
Avoid eating food until the anesthetic wears off.
Your mouth will feel numb for a few hours after a filling because of the anesthetic solution is used during the procedure.
Because of numbness you will lose control on muscle on that side and you will may bite on tongue, lip or cheek. You can take liquid food like milk shake, juice etc
Avoid very hot and very cold beverage.
Hot and cold temperatures make the filling material expand and contract; this alters the filling adaptability, can disrupt the bond of fillings, decrease strength of the material and may cause fractures or leaking
Your teeth and the filling will likely be sensitive for a few days after the procedure. Avoid consuming food and beverages that are very hot or very cold to control sensitivity and pain, and also that might damage your filling
So it’s advisable to consume lukewarm foods/beverages least 24 hours
Avoid hard or sticky foods.
Do not eat hard and sticky food like peanuts, dry fruit chocolate etc.
Biting hard foods can fracture your filling or your tooth. Sticky foods can adhere filled tooth surfaces for a long time and make them more susceptible to cavities.
Clean your mouth out after every snack or meal
Maintenance of dental filling
Keep all teeth clean with regular brushing and flossing
Coffee, tea, and wine can stain your filling and your teeth. If you drink any of these beverages, try to brush your teeth afterward to prevent staining.
Tobacco and smoking can also stain your fillings and teeth.
Avoid Sugary and acidic foods, soft drinks, sweets, candies, and wine. Sports drinks, energy drinks.
Eat more fibrous and raw food, fruits and vegetables.
Regular checkups and cleanings are an integral part of maintaining oral health. See your dentist once in a year or more often if you’re having any issues with your teeth or fillings.
How do I know if I need a root canal or a filling?
Root canal treatment and dental filling are two completely different treatment procedures. It is important to understand the situations where each of these is indicated.
If you are experiencing sharp continuous long lasting pain on consumption of hot or sweet food, inability to chew on the painful tooth, pain at night or if you notice a gum swelling next to the painful tooth, you are most likely going to require a root canal treatment.
You may need a dental filling if you see blackening of teeth or minor amounts of food getting stuck in your teeth. Sometimes, you may also feel sensitivity to cold foodstuffs.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to urgently visit your dentist. The final decision remains in the hands of the dentist whether a root canal or a filling is needed to save the tooth.
The dentist determines this by a thorough evaluation of the tooth and surrounding structures, clinically as well as by x-ray
Frequently ask questions
How many fillings can you have at once?
The dentist can carry out multiple dental fillings on 2-3 teeth in one appointment if they are in the same quadrant. Complex filling may require linger duration for filling procedure.
How long do fillings last?
On an average, a dental filling can last up to 5-20 years. The life of a dental filling depends on many factors like the filling material, amount of natural tooth structure available and the oral hygiene of a patient.
Will I have a cavity again after a filling?
Generally fill tooth will not get decay if you maintain good hygiene of teeth
If food gets stuck around margin or in between teeth decay may start on other surface of tooth. We can make fillings last longer if we take better care of our teeth.
Is getting a dental cavity filled painful?
The procedure of dental fillings does not hurt at all. In fact, it is a procedure done to keep you away from the pain that you may experience if the filling is not done. Depending on the extent of decay in your tooth, the dentist will numb the tooth if needed before cleaning the decay with his instruments to ensure a comfortable and pain free process.
What happens if I don’t get a cavity filled?
Initial stage of tooth decay; if not treated with a dental filling, progressed to further stage. Once the decay is reach to center part of tooth that is pulp and nerve of the tooth, it can no longer be treated with a filling and requires an additional treatment canal treatment. Still you avoid treatment your teeth get more damage or fracture need to be removed.
Can small cavities be reversed without a filling?
White spots on the teeth depict areas of early demineralization of enamel. These areas of weakened enamel can be reversed by getting fluoride application, using fluoride toothpaste or by minerals from the saliva. Any cavity or a black hole on the tooth must be treated by the dentist as it cannot be reversed.
How soon can I eat after a filling?
It is advisable to avoid eating food on the side of the filled tooth for the first 24 hours. During this time the filling completely hardens and settles down in the tooth. You may also need to wait until the anesthesia wears off before eating food to avoid accidently biting your lip, tongue or cheek.
Are white fillings strong?
With the newer advancements, tooth colored fillings are strong and can last for several years. They bond very well through a chemo-mechanical bond and seal the tooth. They protect teeth from further decaying when placed correctly and used in the right situation.
Are tooth colored fillings better than silver fillings?
Tooth colored fillings pose no toxicity to the patients as well as the dentist. They are proved to be biocompatible and safe to be used in human teeth unlike silver fillings which have mercury in it and are known to be toxic. Besides, tooth colored fillings look more natural and do not require additional removal of natural tooth structure to support the filling.
How long will my tooth hurt after a filling?
A dental filling procedure that is properly done with precision by a dentist does not usually cause any pain after the filling has been done. Patient may experience mild discomfort for a couple of days and then becomes normal.
What does a cavity look like on a front tooth?
Decay on front teeth is the easiest to notice and may appear as brown or black discoloration. Such cavities on aesthetically important teeth is most commonly filled by tooth colored composite resin material so that the teeth look natural even after the filling procedure.
Do temporary fillings last?
As the name suggests, temporary fillings last only temporarily. They are used as inter-appointment filling materials and so are not very strong. Make sure to get your temporary filling replaced with a permanent one by your dentist at the right time to avoid any further problems with the same tooth.
How do you know if it’s a stain or a cavity?
A cavity generally presents itself with a brown or a black discoloration often associated with complains of food getting stuck in teeth or mild pain. On the contrary, stains are caused by consumption of certain foods and beverages and are not associated with pain or discomfort, but are a cosmetic problem.
Dentist can take confirmatory x-ray to differentiate it. If decay is there it will see in x-ray.
Is it possible to replace my silver fillings with tooth colored ones?
Yes. Silver fillings are not cosmetic and are harmful because of the mercury it contains. Because of these reasons people generally want to replace their silver fillings with much safer and more attractive tooth colored composite fillings.
