Congratulations on taking care of your dental health! Getting a filling is a common and important step in preserving your smile and preventing further decay. Now that your appointment at Pershing Family Dental is over, you might be wondering what comes next. How soon can you eat? Is sensitivity normal?
We know that leaving the dentist’s office can sometimes feel a bit disorienting, especially if you are still numb. To help you feel comfortable and confident during your recovery, we have put together this simple guide on what to expect after your composite (tooth-colored) filling procedure.
Immediate Aftercare: Managing Numbness
The most immediate sensation you will likely notice is numbness. If your dentist used an anesthetic during the procedure, your lips, tongue, and cheeks might feel thick or asleep for several hours. This is completely normal, but it does require a little caution.
Because you cannot feel these areas, it is very easy to accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue while chewing or talking.
Eating and Drinking Safely
- Wait to Chew: We strongly recommend that you avoid eating solid foods until the anesthetic has completely worn off. This prevents accidental bites that can cause painful damage to your soft tissues.
- Watch the Temperature: Avoid hot beverages like coffee or tea while you are numb. You could burn your mouth without realizing it until the feeling returns.
- Ready to Eat: The good news about composite fillings is that they are fully set when you leave our office. Once the numbness is gone, you can chew right away!
Special Note for Children
If your child received a filling, please keep a close eye on them until the numbness fades. The strange “fat lip” feeling can be confusing or even funny to kids, leading them to chew on their cheeks or lips. This can cause significant swelling and sores later, so distraction is key until the sensation returns to normal.
What to Eat and Avoid
Once the feeling comes back, you are free to eat, but you should still be gentle with your new filling. Think of your tooth as recovering from a minor surgery—it needs a little time to settle.
As with your natural teeth, avoid chewing excessively hard foods directly on the filled tooth. Items like hard candy, ice, or unpopped popcorn kernels can act like little hammers against enamel and fillings alike. While composite material is strong, excessive force can still damage the restoration or your natural tooth structure.
Sensitivity and Discomfort: What is Normal?
It is very common to experience some sensitivity to cold, heat, pressure, or sweet foods for a few days to a few weeks following a dental restoration.
Why Does It Hurt?
Usually, the deeper the cavity was, the more sensitive the tooth will be after the procedure. Your tooth’s nerve has been irritated by the decay and the work required to remove it, so it takes time to calm down.
Managing the Pain
- Over-the-Counter Relief: Simple medications like Ibuprofen (Motrin™, Advil™), Tylenol™, or aspirin work very well to alleviate tenderness.
- Gum Soreness: The gum tissue near the filling might be irritated from the procedure, or the injection site may feel bruised. This soreness typically fades within a few days. Warm salt water rinses can help soothe irritated gums.
If your sensitivity persists beyond a few days or seems to be increasing rather than decreasing, please contact our office. We want to ensure everything is healing correctly.
Checking Your Bite
When we place a filling, we shape it to match your natural tooth as closely as possible. However, because you are numb when we check your bite, it is sometimes hard to tell if it is perfect.
Once the anesthesia wears off, pay attention to how your teeth come together.
- Does it feel like you are hitting the new filling first when you close your mouth?
- Does chewing feel “off,” sore, or strange in that area?
If your bite feels uneven or not correctly balanced, please call us for a quick appointment. A “high” filling won’t fix itself and can cause the tooth to become very painful if you keep chewing on it. A simple adjustment takes just a few minutes and provides instant relief.
The Feel of Your New Filling
You might notice that your new restoration feels slightly different to your tongue. It may have a different texture or contour than your original tooth structure.
Don’t worry—your tongue is incredibly sensitive and magnifies even the tiniest differences. In most cases, you will become accustomed to this new feeling within a few days, and you won’t even notice it anymore.
When to Call Pershing Family Dental
We are here to support you even after you leave the chair. Please do not hesitate to call the office if:
- Your bite feels uneven.
- You have persistent pain that isn’t helped by over-the-counter medication.
- You have any questions or concerns about your recovery.
Your comfort is our priority. By following these simple instructions, you can ensure your new filling lasts for years to come. Thank you for trusting Pershing Family Dental with your smile!