How Long Can You Eat After Tooth Filling?

Tooth filling helps fill the gaps in our cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your oral health as well as overall health. You might be thinking, how long should you wait after getting the tooth filling to eat? Dentists at Dental Clinic Dee Why, usually prohibit eating anything immediately after the dental treatment because any discomfort can lead towards the failure of the tooth filling. This blog sheds light on the factors that influence how long you should wait to eat after getting a tooth filling and the oral health maintenance tips.  

Type of Filling Material Matters

Follow the dentist Dee Why instructions before eating or drinking after the treatment because the tooth filling material plays a significant role in demonstrating how long to wait before eating. 

• Amalgam Filling: These standard fillings have a silver colour and are composed of copper, tin, silver, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are long-lasting but require more time to solidify. It is generally advised to hold off on eating solid foods for at least 24 hours. You should refrain from chewing on the side of your mouth that has the filling during this period.
• Composite Resin Fillings: These are resin-based fillings that are tooth-colored. Composite fillings adhere to the tooth directly and are more aesthetically pleasing. The good news is that, when exposed to a specific light that your dentist uses, composite fillings harden practically instantly. This implies that you can eat within an hour or so of the procedure. Still, it is better to wait for the anesthesia and numbness to wear off. 
• Ceramic Fillings: These porcelain-made tooth fillings are frequently utilized for crowns, inlays, or onlays. Ceramic fillings can be set quickly, just like composite fillings, so you can eat them right away. But because these fillings are usually larger, your dentist might suggest waiting a little while longer, usually a few hours. It is to ensure the adhesive or cement has had time to fully set.
• Gold Fillings: Gold fillings are less common to be used as tooth filling material. You will need to go to the Dental Clinic Dee Why more than once, and you will have to wait longer to eat. You can usually resume normal eating habits after a day, though your dentist will give you specific instructions.

Numbness After the Procedure

The numbness brought on by local anesthesia is one of the most crucial things to take into account, regardless of the type of filling. Your dentist numbs the area by anesthesia, which takes a few hours to wear off. Eating while numb makes it more likely that you’ll unintentionally bite your tongue, cheek, or lip, which can result in uncomfortable sores or injuries. Hold off on eating until the numbness totally goes away. If you’re not eating, try biting down gently or drinking some water to see if the numbness has gone. You are probably ready to eat if you can feel changes in temperature and pressure.

Selecting The Right Food 

Eating the right food after your tooth filling treatment improves your oral health and avoids damaging the filling. 

• Soft Foods: Soft foods are easy to chew such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or soup. 
• Avoid Sticky or Chewy Foods: Avoid foods that can easily stick on your teeth because it can disturb or dislodge the tooth filling. 
• Avoid Hard Foods: Hard foods like nuts, almonds, etc are difficult to bite or chew and it can break the tooth filling. 
• Temperature Sensitivity: Avoid exposure to hot or cold beverages and foods because the newly inverted tooth filling is temperature sensitive. 

Conclusion

It’s crucial to allow your mouth to heal and the filling time to set properly after having a tooth filled. The length of time you should wait before eating depends on the type of filling material used, the complexity of the surgery, and the anesthetic’s effects. You can preserve your dental health and the longevity of your filling by heeding your dentist’s advice and making the right dietary choices.

Remember to ask your dentist Dee Why for advice if you have any questions or notice any strange symptoms following a filling. Adhering to the recommended course of action following a dental procedure can significantly improve your oral health.