Last Updated on by San San
There are many questions when it comes to getting a filling – most of the time, it has something to do with the aftermath. What food can be eaten after getting a filling? What can be done to look after the filling? What food can be eaten as soon as you can after getting a filling?
Well, the most common question in that lineup is, “how long after a filling can I eat?” Let’s find out together, shall we?
How Long After a Filling Can I Eat
Your dentist will provide you with specific instructions on how long to wait after filling. There are a few things you will need to make sure about before eating, after all. However, you may have heard people saying you should avoid chewing for 24 hours after having a dental filling. Nothing could be further from the truth. But you should strictly adhere to specific instructions from the dentist to be safe.
So, “how long after a filling can I eat?” Don’t get mixed up; follow the dentist’s instructions on how long you can wait after having a cavity repair. The filling received may have an impact on how long you should wait. Amalgam filling, for example, takes about 24 hours to harden.
The dentist will recommend waiting for at least 24 hours before chewing on the filled area. While composite filling hardens immediately, the dentist exposes the teeth to blue UV light. And you can chew as soon as you leave your dentist’s office. But you can wait until two hours before chewing. Keep reading for what to do after getting a filling.
How Long After a Filling Can I Eat – Variables to Consider
Before eating, certain variables need to be considered, like local anaesthesia is customarily administered to reduce the pain during the filling operations. If you eat before anaesthesia fades away, it may cause you to bite your tongue or lips accidentally. This numbing agent requires you to wait for 2-3 hours to wear off. Postoperative discomfort after filling impacts your appetite.
The dentist may recommend over the counter painkillers to make you comfortable. Another variable to consider is the gum tissue near the area filled. It might take a few more days before irritation and soreness go away. So, you might not want to chew food near that area for a few more days. However, you can help your gums feel much better by rinsing with one cup of warm salt water.
Is the question, “how long after filling can I eat?” phrase still lingering in your mind? I hope the tips above helped you understand what to do after getting a filling to help you feel better as soon as possible. It’s always best to have a light meal before you even proceed with the procedure. For some, it would help to hydrate and mentally prepare for the procedure through a proper diet so you do not get hungry after getting a tooth filling or the procedure might go to waste.
“Can I eat after tooth fillings?”
Of course, you can eat after a tooth filling, it’s just a matter of how long after the tooth filling we are talking about. The difference in how long you should wait after a tooth filling depends on the filling the dentist uses, and some might take longer than 12 hours of no hard or chewable solid food. Most people would recommend soft food, nothing you need to chew.
In most cases, your dentist will be the one to recommend how long to wait to eat and what foods to eat in general. There’s no specific food you would be recommended to eat, but there will be the food you need to avoid in order to make sure it wouldn’t ruin the new tooth filling. The type of filling plays a role in determining what foods you can eat immediately and which ones you should wait to eat for a few more days.
Your dentist shall recommend the type of food you should eat and beverages to drink. So, can I eat after tooth filling? Yes, you can, but with precautions.
Caring For Your Tooth After a Filling
Whenever you get any filling, tooth sensitivity can become a huge problem. The pain and sensitivity may last for a few hours to a couple of days. However, taking precautions can help minimize discomfort. Here are a few precautions to take after having your teeth filled.
Chew gently/slowly: While chewing food, you can add an enormous amount of pressure between the teeth. But chewing slowly and gently can prevent pain and sensitivity.
Often close your mouth while chewing: When repaired teeth are exposed to air, there is a sharp pain you can experience, but it goes away as days go.
Avoid sticky foods: You must not risk dislodging the filling by eating sticky foods. It takes a while before silver fillings fully settle down.
Avoid too hot or too cold beverages: Teeth with new fillings are sensitive to too cold or too hot beverages.
Avoid sweets and hard foods like nuts or candy: Sweets can are loaded with fermentable carbohydrates that can easily combine with bacteria to cause decay around the filled area. Hard nuts or candy can damage the fillings or mechanically dislodge the fillings.
Best Food to Eat After a Filling
Scrambled eggs: Scrambled eggs for breakfast is a great option when they are not too hot. They are soft to chew and high in proteins.
Soup: The second best food to eat after filling are soup. They are easy to make and rich in nutrients your body dire need. Suppose you can add soft vegetables, the better. Make sure the soup is as smooth as possible to avoid discomfort and eat it not too hot.
Sweet and Smashed potatoes: Sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes are easy to chew and provide many nutrients for your body’s needs. Sweet potatoes have anti-inflammatory effects that prevent oral issues.
Ice cream: The next type of food you should prefer to eat after a filling is the ice cream treat. Who doesn’t like ice cream? It will make you forget about your oral discomfort for a moment as you enjoy the treat. Besides, it can help reduce natural swellings bound to occur after treatment.
Smoothies: Smoothies from fresh ripe fruits like blueberry provides antioxidants the immune system requires to prevent gum diseases. And they require no effort to digest at all.
Pasta or noodles: The two options are ideal for eating after dental treatment. Only cook them soft, so you don’t have issues while eating them.
Pancakes: If you are facing teeth sensitivity after dental operations, pancakes are always the best choice. They are comfortable and soft to eat.
Oatmeal: This is another healthy option for dinner or breakfast. To avoid problems eating oatmeal, don’t add nuts or granola and eat them when they are cooled down a bit to prevent irritation.
Salmon fish and avocado as an ingredient: Salmon fish is easy to chew, making it an ideal option after a filling. And its omega-3 fats fast track healing and reduce inflammation. Avocadoes, on the other hand, are very nutritious and delicious. While they are usually easy to eat, smashed ones are even easier to consume during recovery.
How Long After a Filling Can I Eat Conclusion
Now that you have the right answers to the question ‘how long after a filling can I eat?’ you should strictly adhere to what your dentist has directed you.
You would have to wait longer if you had amalgam filling compared to a composite filling. After the procedure, your dentist will recommend how long you should wait before eating. He or she will also recommend how long you should wait before chewing with filled teeth and the type of food you should eat.
