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When Can You Eat After a Filling? Your Guide to Tooth Filling Aftercare
Posted on May 19th, 2023
A tooth filling is a common, safe way to repair a cavity, restore your tooth’s strength, and stop decay from spreading. But when can you eat after a filling? The answer depends on the type of dental filling you received and how numb your mouth is after treatment.
Knowing when you can eat after a filling—and what foods to avoid—can help prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue, reduce sensitivity, and protect your new filling as it sets.
Keep reading to learn when you can eat after cavity treatment and how to care for your new filling. And if you have any questions along the way, reach out to our Chicago Loop emergency dentists for advice.
How Long After Getting a Cavity Filled Can You Eat? What To Eat After a Cavity Filling
It’s best to wait at least 2 hours to eat after a filling. Additionally, avoid consuming any hot or cold foods and beverages until the anesthetic wears off completely. You may also benefit from only chewing on the side of your mouth that did not receive treatment.
You may experience tooth pain after a filling when chewing, so avoid anything sticky, hard, or especially crunchy. Instead, opt for soft foods such as scrambled eggs, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. You can also eat fruits and vegetables, crackers, bread, cheese, and other everyday things you probably already have in your kitchen.
How Do I Manage Tooth Sensitivity After a Filling?
It’s normal for your tooth and the area around it to be sensitive after a dental filling. This usually goes away within 24-48 hours. However, until it does, you can usually take over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen. This will also help with swelling and sore gums.
If your lips are dry or cracked after treatment, apply a nourishing lip balm and drink plenty of water. You may have to wait until 2 hours have passed following your procedure before consuming liquids.
How Long Do Fillings Take to Heal?
Most fillings don’t require “healing” in the same way a cut does, but it’s normal for the tooth and surrounding gum tissue to feel tender afterward. In most cases, mild sensitivity improves within 24–48 hours. If the cavity was deep or the filling was close to the nerve, sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure may last a few days to a couple of weeks.
If your filling feels high, your bite feels uneven, or you have sharp pain when biting down, the filling may need a quick adjustment. Contact your dentist if discomfort is not improving after a few days, if sensitivity is getting worse, or if you have lingering numbness, swelling, or severe pain.
Additional Tips For Caring For Your New Filling
Do Not Skip Brushing and Flossing
Even if your tooth is sore after a filling, you should not avoid brushing your teeth or flossing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle when cleaning the treated tooth. It’s likely that the gum tissue surrounding the tooth is sensitive, as well, so floss slowly and carefully.
Check Your Bite
When a filling is completed, your dentist will check to make sure your bite is correct before you leave the dental office. However, once the anesthetic wears off, if you notice something feels “off” when you chew or close your mouth, contact your dentist. You may require a follow-up appointment to perfect the shape of your new filling.
Do Not Grind Your Teeth
It can be tempting to grind your teeth together after you have dental work done. However, this puts stress on your teeth and the new filling. If you grind your teeth, you risk chipping your filling or even one of your natural teeth, especially if areas of your mouth are still numb.
Reach Out to Windy City Family Dental
If you have questions about filling procedures or aftercare, such as what to eat after a dental filling or how to manage discomfort, contact Windy City Family Dental today. We provide reliable dental care, including general, cosmetic, and emergency treatments, and advice from dental professionals you can trust.
Call us at (312) 236-8065 to schedule an appointment with one of the best emergency dentists in Chicago.
