How Long Before You Can Eat After a Filling?
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
You may have heard that after filling a cavity, you should wait at least 24 hours before chewing near the filling. However, your dentist will provide you with specific instructions on when and what to consume after a cavity has been filled. Your wait time could be impacted by particular filling kinds. We offer some advice on how to eat after getting dental work done.
You will probably need one (or more) tooth fillings during your life because they are one of the most frequent dental operations. A filling can repair the function and look of a tooth by addressing decay-related damage while also halting additional deterioration.
The type of filling you receive may affect how long you wait:
- Silver amalgam filling – The maximal strength of this filling is reached after roughly 24 hours of complete hardening. You should wait at least 24 hours before chewing on the side of your mouth with the filler before following your dentist’s advice.
- White/tooth-colored composite filling – Once a dentist applies a blue UV light to your tooth, a composite filling quickly begins to solidify. When you leave the office of your dental professional, you can usually eat. If you’re still numb, Rely Dental in BENBROOK advises delaying eating on the filling for at least two hours.
Foods to avoid
In general, it is a good idea to stay away from tough meals that call for taking large, forceful bites and plenty of chewing, which immediately rules out the majority of meats. Food that is hot or cold can also irritate the region without need and lengthen the time it takes for the filling to heal.
Finally, avoid eating anything with a lot of acids since the mouth is significantly more likely to become infected after a filling.
Foods to eat
There are many more delectable lunch options that you can consume after a filling, such as soup and crackers or scrambled eggs, although many delightful items are off-limits after a filling. Finding food that requires minimal to no chewing is the objective.
Make the most of the circumstances and try eating things you otherwise wouldn’t. Keep meals as near to room temperature as possible if you choose anything that is really hot or cold, such as a bowl of soup or a fruit smoothie.
After having a tooth filled, the majority of people feel some amount of soreness. Ways to reduce discomfort:
Carefully chew and bite. Biting down firmly after a filling might cause discomfort since your jaw can apply a lot of strain.
Eat less sticky food. Eating sticky foods too soon after a filling might cause the new filling to become loose. Amalgam fillings are more prone to experience this than composite fillings, but it doesn’t happen frequently.
Takeaway
In conclusion, you may eat after getting a dental filling, but it’s best to stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours.
Contact your dentists if you have any questions about any dental procedure.
