A dental filling procedure is one of the more common experiences people will encounter when having their teeth taken care of by a skilled dentist. Dental cavities and caries are easily remedied via these fillings, but you must know how to care for them. What do you need to know about your new dental filling aftercare?
Here are some of our top dos and don’ts to keep your mouth in great shape:
Do: Use Caution Eating
Once you leave the dental office, you might be curious about what you can eat and when. Some of this depends on the type of filling received. For example, composite fillings hardened under a blue light permit eating right away, while metal dental fillings may require a full day before eating solid foods.
Be sure to know what type of filling procedure you will be having and plan accordingly.
Of course, you also need to be mindful of the types of food you eat after a filling. Steer clear of hard or sticky foods as well as highly acidic foods for up to two weeks following the procedure. Look for food that requires minimal chewing. This gives it plenty of time to heal without disrupting or damaging it in the early days.
Make sure your local anaesthetic wears off before eating to avoid biting yourself!
Don’t: Drink Very Hot or Very Cold Beverages Immediately Following Dental Fillings
Often, people find they are experiencing tooth sensitivity regarding their dental filling aftercare. As a result, you may want to avoid very hot or cold drinks for a little while. The same is true of very hot or cold foods. They can feel very uncomfortable on the affected tooth and can irritate the tooth in question.
Instead, try to drink room-temperature or slightly chilled beverages. Don’t eliminate drinking altogether just because you have to avoid hot coffees and teas.
Do: Brush Gently Around the Filling
The good news is that you don’t have to wait long to brush your teeth, even if you have silver amalgam fillings. You can start brushing twice a day and flossing once each day within a matter of hours. While you can brush, keep in mind that there might be moderate discomfort in the area. Brush as gently as you can while still cleaning the teeth.
Don’t: Smoke or Use Tobacco
In addition to avoiding hot and cold items and hard foods, we also recommend waiting to smoke or use tobacco after your dental fillings. Tobacco products can irritate sensitive teeth. In addition, there is a likelihood that it will promote unhealthy conditions in the mouth and delay healing.
When you get a new filling, you should check with your dentist to see when you can consume tobacco products once more. You may be able to smoke again in just a few hours, or it could take longer for the dental filling to heal enough.
Do: Notify the Dentist if There Are Any Setbacks
Maybe you couldn’t avoid those chewy foods, and scrambled eggs just didn’t seem appealing to you. Even if you followed all the rules, you may still have a persistent toothache. Pay careful attention to the pain surrounding your dental filling, swelling of the gum tissue, and even whether the dental filling falls out.
Immediately contact your dentist if you experience any of these side effects following your dental filling.
Don’t: Irritate the Affected Area
Your dental filling aftercare requires you to be conscious of the newly repaired tooth. Discomfort is common in the early stages of your healing, but it should be relatively minimal. Avoid hard bites, foods that can damage your new filling, and hot or cold foods.
You should also take some general precautions to get some rest. This means avoiding situations where you might cause damage to the mouth during your numbness, such as playing contact sports. Be mindful of your new dental filling and ask your dentist how much time you need to heal.
It often takes 12 to 24 hours before you can return to your daily life.
Get Help With a Dental Filling
Maybe you have been putting off contacting your dentist because you know a dental filling is required. If you keep these aftercare tips in mind, you should have no problem managing pain and discomfort in the affected area.
If you need a dental filling in Saskatoon, contact Dental House to schedule an appointment with our experienced dentists today!