Dental filling is a common treatment, helping people combat decay and cavities with a minimally invasive approach. However, like every other treatment, it comes with aftercare instructions, including those concerning eating. If you are about to undergo treatment at a dentist in Willetton or a dentist in Ballajura, and wondering how long after the treatment you can eat, you’ve come to the right place. While answering this question, this blog also explores a few more essential aspects associated with dental filling treatments.
What is Dental Filling?
A dental filling helps restore the function, integrity, and shape of a tooth damaged due to decay, wear, or trauma. When a tooth develops a cavity, the dentist removes the decayed portion and fills the cavity with a filling material to stop further decaying and restore the tooth’s structure.
What Happens During the Filling Procedure?
At the outset, the dentist places a numbing gel onto your gums with a swab near the affected tooth. After that, they will insert a local anaesthetic into the gums to numb the tooth and make the procedure painless.
Once the tooth is numb, the dentist begins removing the decay. During the removal procedure, you may get a vibrating sensation. In case you feel pain or increased sensitivity, you must let your dentist know about it immediately. Furthermore, depending on the case, the dentist may fill the hole created due to the decay with composite or porcelain.
Types of Dental Fillings
Oral fillings come in various types, the choice of which varies with the case.
- Amalgam fillings
Amalgam fillings are made from silver. They fill cavities and are durable enough to last up to 12-15 years, after which they would need a replacement. Besides, amalgam fillings are strong and can sustain the force generated while chewing. Furthermore, they are more affordable than their composite counterparts.
- Composite fillings
Composite fillings are aesthetic fillings made from materials designed to match the teeth colour, and composites to blend in appropriately. Dentists can also use these fillings to repair teeth. However, the only disadvantage with these fillings is that they aren’t as durable as amalgam fillings. Hence, you would need a replacement much earlier than amalgam oral fillings.
How Long Should You Wait to Eat After Filling Cavities
Let’s now answer the core question. So, how long after a dental filling can you eat? The waiting time depends on the type of filling you have. For instance, amalgam fillings take nearly 24 hours to fully harden. Thus, you will have to wait or hold on to eating until then. However, if you are required to eat, you must eat what’s recommended and chew from the opposite side of your mouth to stay safe.
On the other hand, if you have composite resin fillings, you wouldn’t have to wait for as long. Dentists harden composite fillings with a high-intensity blue light. So you will be able to eat much sooner than amalgam fillings. Nevertheless, you must still wait for a couple of hours before you begin eating. Furthermore, dentists advise waiting until the local anaesthetic wears off to avoid biting into your tongue, cheeks or lips while eating.
What to Eat and Avoid After a Dental Filling?
Now that we’ve answered when you can eat after a dental filling, let’s see what is it that you can generally eat. Specific food recommendations may vary.
- Oatmeal
- Yoghurt
- Smoothies
- Scrambled eggs
- Salads
- Mashed potatoes
- Boiled vegetables
- Soft pasta
- Soft cheese
On the other hand, you must avoid chewing gum, tea, cold foodstuffs and beverages, popcorn, and chewy meat. You must consult your dentist to know what you can eat and what not to.
Is it OK to Drink Coffee After a Filling Treatment?
You must avoid consuming hot beverages like tea or coffee after a filling treatment. It is because your gums and teeth will still be numb after the procedure. The local anaesthesia into your gums may take a few hours to wear off. Thus, you might not feel the coffee burning in your mouth if it is too hot.
Dental Filling Aftercare Instructions
Some generic aftercare instructions after the dental filling procedure include;
- Waiting for at least 24 hours before eating in the case of amalgam fillings and a minimum of two hours if you’ve used composite fillings
- Being cautious while drinking or eating to avoid accidentally biting your tongue, lips or cheeks
- Avoiding too hot or cold foods and drinks until the sensitivity subsides
- Brushing and flossing teeth per the dentist’s recommendations
- Avoiding eating sticky or hard foodstuffs
- Monitoring persistent pain, sharp edges, or discomfort in fillings while biting
- Abstaining from consuming alcohol or smoking for at least 24 hours as these can interfere with the healing process and stain or hurt the filling
- Visiting the dentist for regular follow-up appointments
We hope we answered your question. Connect with Advanced Dental Spa if you’ve been looking to undergo a dental filling treatment in Thornlie, Willetton, or Ballajura. We are here to take care of your dental needs and concerns. Our personalized dental consultation and treatment will serve the aesthetic and functional needs of your teeth. Get in touch with us to book an appointment with dental experts. We’d be glad to treat your dental concerns.
