It is important to note that a dental filling is a procedure that involves the total cleaning of one or more cavities, to later fill this remaining space with a new material.

At the beginning of this treatment the dentist must inject anesthesia to numb the area to be treated, the dentist will deeply clean the cavity from the root, usually with the help of a special drill.

After that, the resulting space will be filled with amalgam, composite or porcelain; it all depends on the patient and what the dentist recommends.

After this treatment it is very common for patients to experience sensitivity, in addition to some other symptoms in the area, if so it is best to contact your dentist.

Tips if you have undergone dental filling treatment

After a dental filling treatment your dentist will give you certain recommendations on how long it is prudent to wait to eat and what foods you should not try.

This is due to the fact that in the treated area there could be some swelling, in addition to the effects of anesthesia that in some cases lasts a little longer than expected.

Is it possible to eat after a dental filling?

You have probably heard that you cannot eat in the area where this treatment was performed, commonly you must wait up to 24 hours after the repair of the cavities.

The reality is that each dentist may give you different instructions after the resin is placed, in many cases depending on the type of filling.

Waiting times for eating may vary, it all depends on the type of filling that has been used in the treatment, this you should know:

Amalgam

This type of filling can take up to 24 hours to harden completely and achieve maximum strength, your dentist will probably tell you not to chew on that side of your mouth for about 24 hours.

Composite

This material will harden immediately after your dentist places the UV rays on the area, you can usually eat as soon as you leave the office. Your dentist will probably ask you not to eat for 2 hours, so that the area where you were anesthetized can function properly.

Can I brush my teeth after a filling?

The answer is very simple, just brush them as you normally would, avoid excessive force because it could cause abrasion on your teeth and therefore on the new filling, which leads to cavities and sensitivity in the future.

Is it possible to drink coffee after this treatment?

As we mentioned before, you should ideally avoid starting hot or cold in general after a dental filling.

Remember that this could cause the contraction or expansion of the tooth, which would result in a fracture or misalignment of the resin itself.

So from ProDent we strongly recommend, do not drink coffee or any hot beverage until a few hours after leaving your dentist.

What should I not do after a filling?

Some of the things you should avoid after a dental filling treatment are:

Avoid chewing at all costs while your mouth is still numb, because as we mentioned before, the dentist must apply a little anesthesia in the area to be treated. This way you will avoid biting your cheeks, tongue or lips
Avoid eating very hard or sticky foods, and if you feel sensitivity, do not consume hot or cold drinks or foods
Do not bite too hard, if you chew hard it could damage the restoration. Keep in mind that the larger the fillings are the weaker they may be. If you want to take care of them you should bite extremely softly
Do not grind your teeth; if you suffer from bruxism this causes the surface of your teeth to wear down little by little, clenching your teeth can cause them to chip or crack, a solution could be to use a mouth guard

Care after a dental filling treatment is very important, this way you can be absolutely sure that the filling will last much longer.

Are you looking for the best place to carry out a dental filling treatment? ProDent offers you the latest in dental technology and the help of qualified hands, leave your mouth in our hands and smile with confidence.

Do you know how to take care of your teeth after a dental filling treatment? Find out here