After a dental filling, understanding the best practices for drinking is important to ensure the longevity of your new restoration and minimize discomfort. Following these guidelines can support a smooth recovery process.
Immediate Post-Filling Drinking Guidelines
Immediately after a dental filling, it is safe to drink room-temperature water. However, if local anesthesia was used, wait until the numbness subsides (usually a few hours) to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
For other beverages, waiting at least an hour is recommended. Lukewarm or room-temperature liquids are best to avoid sensitivity, as new fillings can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Cold drinks can trigger sharp sensitivity, and hot beverages might intensify discomfort. Avoiding straws for the first 24 hours is suggested, as the suction created could dislodge a new filling or cause discomfort.
How Filling Material Affects Drinking
The type of material used for your dental filling influences how soon you can safely drink. Different materials have varying setting and hardening times.
Composite resin, or tooth-colored fillings, harden instantly when exposed to a special curing light. You can drink water immediately after the appointment, provided the numbing has worn off. However, some sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures might still occur for a few hours or days due to temporary nerve irritation.
Amalgam, or silver fillings, require a longer time to fully set, taking up to 24 hours. Avoid hot or cold beverages that could affect the setting process or cause discomfort. Room-temperature water is permissible after an hour or two, but it is recommended to avoid hot drinks like coffee or tea for a full 24 hours with amalgam fillings.
Beverages to Limit and Their Impact
Beyond the immediate post-filling period, certain beverages should be limited or avoided to protect your filling. Hot or cold drinks can continue to cause sensitivity in the days or weeks following a filling, as the tooth’s nerve tissue adjusts.
Alcoholic beverages can negatively impact dental fillings. Alcohol can dry out the mouth, potentially delay healing, and increase tooth sensitivity. Alcohol consumption can increase the failure rate of dental fillings, especially composite resins, within two years of placement. Alcohol can also interfere with the bonding process of composite materials and may irritate sensitive gum tissue around a new filling.
Sugary and acidic drinks, such as sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks, pose risks to both natural tooth enamel and filling materials. Acids can erode enamel and affect the surface hardness of some filling materials, potentially leading to an uneven surface where the filling meets the tooth. Sugary drinks can also promote bacterial growth around the filling’s margins, increasing the risk of new decay.
For composite fillings, pigmented drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas can cause staining. Composite resins are porous and can absorb pigments from these beverages over time, leading to discoloration of the filling. This staining is similar to how natural tooth enamel can discolor, but composite fillings cannot be whitened with bleach.