Do consider the type of filling you have before eating after a dental filling.
While certain fillings allow you to eat immediately after without concern, this is not the case for every type of filling. Because composite white fillings harden instantly under the blue light your dentist uses, you can eat and drink immediately following the procedure.
You should try to stick to easy-to-chew foods when recovering from dental fillings. Look for food that requires minimal chewing and wait until the swelling has decreased before digging in.
Metal dental fillings take a bit of time to harden, so most dentists will recommend waiting at least 24 hours after receiving the dental filling to eat any solid foods.
To avoid biting your lips, cheek, or tongue, you will likely want to wait until the local anesthetic wears off before attempting to eat. Ask your dentist for advice about when is the best time to eat after your filling.
Don't give in to the temptation to eat hard or sticky foods for the first couple of weeks.
You might be more sensitive after a dental filling so it may be best to avoid anything too hot or cold right after. Sticky, hard or chewy foods are also a no-no - for up to two weeks. Anything that will require you to take hard bites and chew a lot - such as meat - is probably out.
You’ll also want to avoid highly acidic foods to prevent infection.
Do take pain medication as recommended to manage discomfort after a filling.
You may notice some mild to moderate discomfort and pain following the filling. while you may have swelling and mild pain right after a dental filling, you should notice this has decreased significantly after about 12 hours.
Take over-the-counter painkillers with ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate any physical pain or discomfort after a dental filling.
In the event, pain, sensitivity or discomfort do not disappear after 24 hours, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment to check on your filling, to ensure that infection is not developing.
Don't avoid brushing, flossing or other methods of oral hygiene.
Did you know that you don’t have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling? As long as you brush gently and floss carefully around the tooth, you should be able to keep the area clean as usual.
Do contact your dentist if you notice any concerning symptoms or persistent pain.
Though it's true that you may feel some mild pain or discomfort, a persistent sharp or throbbing toothache can indicate that the decay has reached your tooth's pulp. You may need a root canal. Contact your dentist, who can address it for you promptly.