Dental fillings restore teeth affected by decay or damage. After a filling, knowing when and what to eat is important for the restoration’s longevity and comfort. This article guides you on eating after a dental filling.
Eating Timeline Based on Filling Material
The type of filling material influences the recommended waiting period before eating. Composite (white) fillings are cured with a special light during the procedure, hardening instantly. You can eat as soon as you leave the dentist’s office, but it’s advised to wait until any local anesthetic has completely worn off to prevent accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. This numbness can last one to three hours.
Amalgam (silver) fillings require more time to fully set and achieve maximum strength, typically up to 24 hours. Dentists recommend avoiding chewing on the side of the mouth where the amalgam filling was placed for at least 24 hours. This allows the material to crystallize and reach its full durability, preventing potential damage or dislodgement.
Recommended Foods and Those to Avoid
Choosing appropriate foods after a dental filling is important for healing and protecting the new restoration. Soft, easy-to-chew foods are recommended, especially in the initial hours or day. These choices minimize pressure on the newly filled tooth and surrounding tissues. Examples include:
Yogurt
Soup
Mashed potatoes
Scrambled eggs
Soft fruits like bananas or applesauce
Certain foods should be avoided.
Hard or crunchy items such as nuts, ice, popcorn kernels, or raw vegetables can exert excessive force, potentially dislodging the filling or damaging the tooth.
Sticky or chewy foods, like caramel, taffy, or gum, pose a risk of pulling out a new filling, particularly amalgam fillings before they are fully set.
Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages should also be limited, as they can trigger temporary sensitivity in the treated tooth. Chewing on the opposite side of the mouth from the new filling for a day or two can further reduce stress on the treated area.
Understanding Post-Filling Precautions
The precautions regarding eating after a dental filling are rooted in the specific properties of the restorative materials and the tooth’s natural response to the procedure. Composite fillings utilize a light-curing process, where a specialized blue light initiates a chemical reaction that rapidly hardens the resin material. This immediate setting allows for quicker resumption of normal eating habits once any local anesthetic has worn off.
Amalgam fillings, composed of a metallic alloy, undergo a chemical reaction that allows them to gradually harden and strengthen over time, typically up to 24 hours. Chewing on an amalgam filling before it has fully set can deform or dislodge the material, compromising its integrity. Additionally, the process of preparing the tooth for a filling, which involves removing decayed material, can temporarily irritate the tooth’s nerve. This irritation can lead to temporary sensitivity to temperature changes or pressure, a common experience that typically subsides within a few days or weeks. Waiting for numbness to subside is also crucial to prevent accidental injury to soft tissues, as the lack of sensation can lead to inadvertently biting the cheek, lip, or tongue.