Foods You Shouldn’t Eat After Getting Dental Fillings

Dental fillings restore the form and functionality of a tooth destroyed by a cavity. After you visit the dentist in 85212 to fill holes, you must exercise care to uphold the integrity of the restoration. One of the requirements to consider in selecting the right foods to eat after the treatment. It is incredibly essential for you to avoid potential issues after the filling and help reduce your discomfort.

After you get dental fillings from cosmetic dentistry in Mesa, AZ, you receive specific instructions to follow regarding when or what to eat. Some types of filling affect your waiting time. This blog shares some recommended tips for eating or avoiding foods after getting a dental filling.

Why Did You Need Dental Fillings?

That you needed dental fillings is evidence that you were not maintaining your oral hygiene appropriately. You allowed plaque buildup to accumulate on your teeth and penetrate your tooth enamel and dentin to create permanent damage to your tooth.

The tooth enamel cannot repair itself, and the only method to restore your tooth is to have dental fillings from a dentist. Avoid getting the dental fillings, and the bacteria within your tooth creates more damage to destroy your tooth beyond repair and need extraction.

When you visit the Mesa cosmetic dentist, they offer you different types of dental fillings. If your cavity is on your molars, you receive silver amalgam fillings, the most durable among other varieties. You can also have metal fillings from silver or gold if you prefer.

You receive composite fillings if your cavity is located on the front teeth. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and do not detract from your smile.

The Tooth Filling Procedure

The tooth filling procedure is relatively standard and is performed by most dentists routinely. When you arrive for your appointment, your dentist x-rays your tooth to determine the extent of the decay. After that, you receive local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort.

The tooth is initially drilled, decay removed, and disinfected to prepare it for the filling. After that, the dentist places the chosen filling material as determined by you. The entire procedure is completed within 30 minutes unless you have extensive decay needing additional treatments.

After getting dental fillings, the dentist describes foods you can have or cannot have after the procedure. They also remind you to maintain excellent oral hygiene to ensure you don’t require additional fillings on your teeth because of tooth decay.

Foods You Cannot Have after Getting Dental Fillings

If you have silver amalgam fillings on your teeth, it requires at least 24 hours to harden to reach optimal strength completely. Your dentist recommends waiting for a day before chewing on that side of the mouth where the filling is placed. However, if you have composite resin fillings, the material hardens immediately after placement leaving you free to consume foods a couple of hours after undergoing the procedure.

You may experience a level of tenderness after the dentist has filled your teeth. Here are some practical suggestions you can use to minimize discomfort.

Avoid Hard Foods

Chewing on hard candy, ice, nuts, and other tough foods causes pain by exerting too much pressure on the teeth. Biting tough foods can dislodge new silver amalgam fillings because it hasn’t had time to set, requiring a visit to the emergency dentist near you for filling replacement.

Sticky Foods Are Better Avoided

Trying to eat sticky foods also dislodges your new dental filling soon after it is placed. Although the occurrence isn’t familiar with composite resin fillings, it can occur with silver amalgam fillings.

Biting and Chewing Carefully Helps

Your jaw exerts tremendous pressure when biting, and chewing down hard following the filling results in pain. Consider chewing on the opposite side of the mouth and not biting all the way through your food.

Avoid Sugary Foods

Sugary foods and beverages trigger sensitivity and promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth around the new filling. Remember, it was the bacteria in your mouth that necessitated the need for dental fillings. Therefore sugary foods are best avoided.

Avoid Scorching Hot and Extremely Cold Foods and Beverages

When you have foods and beverages at a moderate temperature, the chances of not triggering sensitivities are higher. Therefore you must avoid scorching hot or icy foods and drinks until you have recovered entirely from the filling procedure.

After getting dental fillings, you need to care for the restorations, especially in the initial few hours or 24 hours if you have silver amalgam fillings. Please follow the tips provided in this blog to maintain your repairs in excellent condition.