Having cavities is quite common, and so is getting a filling to remedy it. It is a fairly common procedure in the dental world. You are most likely to have one (or more) in your entire life span. Since it fills the hole in your tooth, so can you eat after a filling?
This is one of the most asked questions from dentists, and the answer is quite simple. You cannot eat immediately after filling but can eat after 2-3 hours.
How Soon Can You eat After A filling process?
If your dentist has chosen a composite filling for you, that is the best. You do not have to wait to eat after getting a composite filling.
But why? Well, the composite filling gets hard almost immediately when placed under UV light. Even then, your dentist may want you to wait for about an hour or 2 before starting to eat. This is because your cheeks and gum tissues might be numb from the anesthetic applied.
In case of a metal amalgam filling, the wait to eat is longer—usually, a full round 24 hours. After day one, the metal filling completely hardens.
In the meantime, you can use the side of your mouth, which has not gone under any change. However, it is best to avoid some kinds of food for a total of 1 whole week after having your cavity filled.
What should you eat after a dental filling?
Your confusion is legitimate if you have gotten a dental filling for the first time. If you are still determining what you can eat, go for soft foods instead of hard, crunchy, or chewy foods.
Your best bet is mashed potatoes, yogurt, broth, soft cheese, and pasta. Other than that, smoothies are also great if you do not want anything savory for the moment.
What Not To Eat After A Dental Filling?
Nobody wants to damage the cavity they just got filled, right? So, to avoid any risk, here’s a list of foods to avoid.
- Food such as potato chips
- Hard roasted peanuts
- Granola bars
- Crunchy cereals
- Frozen foods
What are the different types of dental fillings?
Amalgam filling
Amalgam fillings are also referred to as ‘silver fillings’ and are mostly used to fill in cavities. They are essentially made of silver, are extremely durable, and last about 15 years before they may need any sort of change or replacement.
These fillings for cavities are quite affordable compared to composite ones. They are sturdy with the strength to withstand chewing force.
Composite fillings
Composite fillings are perfect for the aesthetic look. The dentists choose this because it closely mimics the real neighboring teeth. They blend in perfectly and are exceedingly aesthetic compared to amalgams.
However, there is one downside of using composite, and that is their longevity. If we compare the two, amalgam lasts much longer.
Summing Up
If you have a black or brown spot on your tooth, it may be a cavity. Get in touch with a dentist for a full round checkup and treatment. Contact tooth experts from Smile Forever Dental at (661) 666-4433 for more info.