Nobody likes dental procedures, especially not dental fillings. They’re discomforting, take a while to complete and usually cost a significant amount of money. That’s if you’re only considering the pre-surgery issues associated with dental fillings. It’s even less endearing when you think about the post-surgery discomfort and inconvenience.
A dental filling procedure will leave you unable to eat some of your favourite treats for a while after its completion. Now, don’t let that scare you from going for the operation – it’s all for the greater good of your oral health. Or will you choose cavities and consistent pain over momentary discomfort?
But realistically, a tooth filling procedure is anything but momentary. It involves a lot of processes, and the post-operative discomfort is the clincher. However, we can assure you; you’ll be able to eat and enjoy whatever you want after the pain goes away. But in the meantime, you’ll have to wait and endure for a little while. That said, exactly how long is this ‘little while?’ How long do you need to wait before you can eat after undergoing a tooth filling process?
How Long to Wait Before Eating After Getting A Dental Filling
As you may have imagined, the answer to the ‘how long’ question is relative. There’s no specific duration for which one must wait after getting dental fillings before they can eat. However, you do have to wait for some time before you can start working your teeth after such a procedure. Of course, that waiting period depends on various factors, such as the ones we have below.
The Type of Filling
The type of filling you get is the most significant determining factor for how long you’ll have to wait to eat after a dental procedure. In other words, you may have to wait 2 hours, 24 hours or more depending on the type of dental filling you get. And there are two primary types of fillings you can opt for. They are;
Silver/amalgam fillings
Amalgam fillings are products of several metals, predominantly silver, mercury and tin. The dentist will typically predesign the filling to fit the cavity in your teeth. However, this type of filling still takes a little while to harden and set with your teeth completely.
Amalgam fillings typically take 24 hours to reach maximum strength. So, most dentists usually recommend a waiting period of 24 hours before chewing with the teeth after getting silver amalgam fillings.
Composite fillings
Just as the name implies, dentists design composite fillings from composite materials. I.e., they’re products of synthetic resins, which you may also refer to as dental cement. They’re insoluble, have a semblance to natural dentition, are easy to manipulate, and are pretty durable. So, they’re perfect as filling materials.
The best part about them is they harden almost immediately during the procedure. The dentist simply needs to pour in the resin material then flash a blue UV light on the area. The UV light immediately causes the resin to solidify and set in place. So, barring the little hints of pain you may be feeling due to the drilling, you should be able to eat immediately after leaving the dentist’s office.
Of course, other dental filling options can also influence your waiting period before you can eat after the procedure. But the two filling options mentioned above are the commonest and give you an idea of the waiting period for others. That said, you can take drinks immediately after undergoing any of the two procedures mentioned above. But be careful to avoid taking something that may be too hot or cold.
Local Anesthetic
Dentists typically administer local anesthetic to numb the pain and reduce general discomfort during the filling procedure. However, the anesthetics may take a little while to wear off, depending on the amount the dentist gives you.
You want to avoid eating while the anesthetic is still in effect. The numbness may cause you to bite your tongue or the sides of your cheeks mistakenly. That said, local anesthetics typically wear out within 3 hours.
Post-operative Discomfort
Most people who cannot eat for a while after a dental filling cannot do so as a result of post-operative discomfort. The dentist will tamper with your dentition a little bit during the procedure. They may have to drill through your teeth before putting in the filling. While you may not feel any discomfort during the operations, thanks to the local anesthetics, you’ll later feel the after-effects.
The faster the after-effects go away, the quicker you’ll be able to start chewing with that part of your mouth again. However, post-operative pains typically take a day or two to go away. You can mitigate the discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen.
Gum Tissue Discomfort
Like we said earlier, the dentist will inevitably tamper with some aspects of your dentition during the procedure. One of such places may be your gums. Gum tissues are delicate, and any slight irritation can result in soreness. Needless to say, sore gums can be annoying and make chewing highly uncomfortable to you.
Try rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt (½ teaspoon of salt in one cup of water). It should reduce the irritation, and you’ll feel better.
Increased Sensitivity
The soft tissues around and underneath your dentition are quite sensitive already. But, tampering with them can heighten their sensitivity. An invasive procedure such as a dental filling operation can cause heightened sensitivity of your dentition. As such, your teeth will be sensitive to extreme temperatures (hot or cold) for a while after the procedure.
In such cases, you’ll want to avoid foods that are too hot or too cold. The sensitivity should go away in a few weeks. But if it doesn’t, see your dentist.
Different Bite
Most people who have undergone dental procedures usually complain that their bites feel different after the procedure. This situation is quite common with dental filling patients. You may experience a feeling as if your teeth are not coming together as usual while chewing. Of course, this wouldn’t practically stop you from eating. However, it may prevent you from enjoying the meal.
Overall, you may be able to eat with your teeth immediately after the dental filling procedure. Or you have to wait for up to a week before you can really eat and enjoy your meals after getting a dental filling procedure.
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Best Practises For Dental Filling Aftercare
You must keep in mind certain things regardless of the type of filling you get. Most significantly, you have to pay attention to what you eat after a tooth filling. There are certain types of food you should stay away from for a minimum of one week after getting a dental filling. Below are some tips you should consider for eating after a filling.
Bite and Chew Carefully
You should have realised this already, but if you haven’t, let’s take the opportunity to remind you. Take extra care while eating. Your jaws exert a great deal of pressure when biting—as such, biting down hard not long after a filling can cause you pain. Consider not biting all the way down on your food and chewing gently using the teeth on the opposite side of the filling.
Take Your Time
Being careful will necessitate you to take your time while eating. For example, slowly chewing will help you avoid biting down hard. Also, it’ll be easier to use the other side of your mouth when eating slowly. And you’ll reduce the risk of biting or causing yourself unnecessary discomfort.
Keep Your Mouth Closed While Chewing
Chewing with your mouth closed is an established part of eating etiquette. However, you need to practice your table manners now more than ever to avoid causing yourself pain while eating. The dental filling makes your teeth sensitive to heat and cold. At this point, a sharp change in temperature sensation by your teeth will cause discomfort.
So, even cold air can trigger pain. You’ll reduce the chances of cold air causing you pain by closing your mouth while eating.
Avoid Hard Foods
It’s inconceivable that someone will want to crack down on candy, ice or nuts right after undergoing a dental procedure. But, people do amusing things all the time. That said, it’ll be in your best interest to stay clear of hard foods following a tooth filling procedure.
Hard foods require you to exert a lot of pressure using your jaws. Exercising too much pressure on your teeth can trigger discomfort. Plus, the hard food may dislodge the filling if it hasn’t been fully set in place.
Avoid Sticky Foods
While sticky foods may not require you to exert pressure, they can also damage your new fillings. Sticky food can attach to and dislodge your fillings. Needless to say, that’ll be embarrassing and annoying. Nonetheless, they don’t happen very often and are only common with amalgam fillings.
Avoid Sugary Foods
It’s common knowledge that too much consumption of sugary foods can foster bacteria infection and result in cavities. I.e., your habit of taking too many sugary substances may be the reason you needed fillings in the first place. So, going right back into consuming sweets right after a dental filling will be counterproductive.
Go with Diaries and Veggies
Soft non-sugary foods are the best to eat after getting dental fillings. You can start with scrambled eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese if you’re unsure of what you can eat after a dental filling procedure. These foods are safe and soft, perfect for the delicate state of your teeth.
Cooked vegetables will also go easy on your teeth. To make things easier, you can puree the vegetables and make them into a warm soup. Overall, you want to go with soft foods for the first couple of days after getting dental fillings.
Avoid Smoking
Try your best not to smoke after getting a new dental filling. Smoking is not a healthy habit regardless of whether you just got a dental filling or not. However, smoking can have an adverse effect on your newly installed dental fillings. You particularly want to avoid smoking when your mouth is still numb to prevent complications. Even if you’re confident you have complete sensation in your mouth again, don’t risk it, or you can easily burn yourself.
Smoking also increases the risk of developing a mouth infection. An infection would have been responsible for the cavity the dentist just plugged up in your teeth. Why risk developing another infection? Smokers are more likely to have dental diseases than non-smokers. If you’re an ardent smoker, your risk will even be more significant. Smoking is a dental disaster in every sense of it; avoid it as much as you can.
Take Care of Your Fillings
There’s no special procedure for taking care of dental fillings. However, you still need to take adequate care of it. Brush your teeth twice daily, floss once and pay regular visits to your dentist for a checkup (ideally every six months).
Also, try not to brush too hard around the filling, especially if you have composite fillings. Ideally, you should use a soft brush and high-quality dental products. You can ask your dentist for recommendations.
Overall, ensure to maintain proper oral hygiene. Excellent oral hygiene will keep your dental filling and the rest of your teeth in good condition. It’ll also prevent bacteria build-up while removing plaques and limiting decay.
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Summary
You may feel tempted to eat right after getting a dental filling; resist that feeling. Instead, hold out for as long as you can to let your teeth rest and the filling to set. At least try to wait for 24 hours before putting your teeth through any significant chewing exercise. Also, avoid hot or cold foods as the sensitivity of your teeth will be higher than usual this period.
That said, if you’re looking for an excellent place to get dental fillings in Ontario, look no more! Check out our dentist office in Ontario for professional dental examinations and treatments. Osmine Denture offers premium dental services for residents in Ontario. Book an appointment with us today!