A dental filling is a procedure used to completely clean the cavities in a tooth and then fill the resulting space with a new material.

In the first part of this procedure, the best dentists in Tijuana inject the patient with anesthesia around the tooth in order to numb the area for treatment.

Once this is done, our dentists in Tijuana will clean the cavities, this type of work is done with the help of a special drill, you don't have to worry, the process is quick and painless.

After this, we fill the remaining space with amalgam, composite or porcelain. We must mention that after this treatment, it is very possible that you may experience sensitivity or other symptoms in the area.

We must emphasize that a dental filling is a very common procedure, depending on the magnitude of the problem the resin that is placed, can be large or smaller.

Below, the best dentists in Tijuana that you can find in ProDent, offer you a series of tips after undergoing a dental filling treatment.

What should you not do after a dental filling procedure in Mexico?

There is no doubt that you should avoid some things after a dental filling, some of them are:

Avoid at all costs eating while your mouth is still numb, remember that the dentist must apply anesthesia in the area to be treated. Chewing is very likely to bite your tongue, cheeks or lips
Do not eat very hard or hot foods, if you chew too hard you could damage the restoration, keep in mind that the larger the fillings, the weaker they may become. Bite gently!
Don't grind your teeth, if you suffer from bruxism this could wear down the surface of your teeth; clenching your teeth could cause them to chip or crack, thus damaging your new fillings. A solution to this problem may be to wear a mouth guard!

Is it possible to eat after a dental filling treatment?

It is very likely that you have heard that you cannot chew in the area where you had a dental filling for the next 24 hours after the cavities have been repaired.

The reality is a little different, since each dentist will give you different instructions, from ProDent we tell you that everything will depend on the type of filling they used in the repair.

What does this mean? Well, the waiting time to eat may vary depending on the type of filling that was used in your repair.

Amalgam: This type of filling needs 24 hours to harden completely, this is how it achieves its maximum strength. For this reason, we recommend not chewing on that side of the mouth for 24 hours
Composite: This type of filling is totally different, as it hardens completely after the dentist applies the blue UV rays on the area. On the other hand, we recommend waiting about 2 hours after the treatment, so that the area where you were anesthetized wakes up properly

How long should one wait to eat after this type of treatment?

Here are some factors to consider regarding the waiting time to eat after a dental filling:

Local anesthesia

Generally, dentists apply local anesthesia in order to clean the cavities and then place the respective filling.

Eating while this area of your mouth is still numb could cause you to bite your cheeks, tongue or lips. From ProDent we recommend waiting 1-3 hours to wait for the treated area to wake up completely.

Post-filling discomfort

It is common to feel certain discomfort or pain after a dental filling, so it is common to lose your appetite or desire to eat, our dentists may advise you to take ibuprofen or paracetamol in these cases.

Gum discomfort

During this type of procedure the gum tissue near the tooth may become irritated, this will undoubtedly cause the patient discomfort when chewing for a few days.

Rinsing your mouth with the help of some warm water and salt may help you feel better, the proportion of this is half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.

Sensitivity

It is common to have some sensitivity after a dental filling, as our teeth may be sensitive to cold or heat for a week or two.

It should be noted that if you continue to suffer from sensitivity after this time, it is very likely that you should return to your dentist.

Bite difference

Your bite may feel different after a filling, if you don't get used to it after a few days go to your dentist again, he/she may need to adjust the filling.

In summary, to know how long to wait to eat after a dental filling treatment, it will depend on the type of filling and how you feel after the treatment.

What can be eaten after a filling?

As we have already excited you throughout this article, it is best to avoid very cold or hot foods at all costs.

It would be best to avoid eating on the side of the mouth where you had the restoration done, after covering the cavities you can eat foods such as:

Oats
Natural games
Boiled eggs
Soups
Jellies, among other options.

In case you are experiencing sensitivity, you can choose to avoid foods that are too hot or too cold, it is better to be safe.

Likewise, you should avoid lumpy, hard or sticky foods after a dental filling, although you can eat them, avoid eating them in the area where you have been treated.

As a general advice, the dentists at ProDent recommend you to avoid eating during the first hours of the day, this way you will not apply pressure on the area and you will let it heal properly.

Can I brush my teeth after a dental filling treatment?

This is another one of the most common questions among our patients, and the answer is that if you can still brush and floss, how would you normally do it?

Remember to brush your teeth without applying too much force, as this action could cause abrasion to your teeth and damage the new filling, which could lead to cavities and sensitivity in the future.

Now you know a little more about a dental filling treatment, what are you waiting for to make your appointment with the best dentists in Tijuana? Make your appointment at ProDent right now.

Do you know exactly what care you should follow after a dental filling? Find out here