How to Care for Your Tooth After Getting a Dental Filling

Prepare Your Upcoming Dental Filling

Dentists repair cavities and tooth damage daily. But when the service is over, it is time for the healing and recovery to begin. If you’re preparing for a dental filling in Southfield, MI, you can rely on Hi-Tech Family Dentistry to serve you with the highest level of excellence. We’ve put together tips, tricks, and guidance on caring for your tooth and restorative dental treatment, so you can know how to manage and complete your recovery properly. By learning and following the information below, you can maximize the longevity and performance of your filling and set your smile up for a happy and healthy future.

What is a Dental Filling?

A filling is a restorative dental treatment used to repair a tooth damaged by decay, wear and tear, or minor fractures. They often heal and strengthen teeth after cavities, cracks, and chips. The two most common types include the following:

• Amalgam Fillings: This style usually takes a full day to harden and set. So, chewing with the side of your mouth that isn’t affected by the filling is recommended.
• Composite Fillings: Our composite fillings harden and set almost immediately after the procedure, allowing patients to resume eating normally in little to no time.

What to Expect After Dental Filling

Your recovery will start promptly after your procedure is complete. Here’s some guidance and care tips to follow immediately after your tooth is filled:

• Anticipate Sensitivity: Remember, it’s normal to feel some level of pain and discomfort after getting a dental filling, especially when eating or drinking.
• Be Gentle Towards Your Mouth: Because your mouth will likely be sensitive, you should always treat it carefully and gently, ensuring it’s protected as much as possible.
• Take Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may ease your suffering

Dental Filling Aftercare for Pain Relief

Though your pain and discomfort may be annoying and interrupt your daily routine, there are some helpful things you can do to alleviate it and continue your life with some amount of peace. The following is a list of oral health and hygiene practices and habits you should do before and after your dental filling recovery. Performing the following tasks at home will enable you to recover faster and improve your quality of life. Here’s what you should do to protect and alleviate your filling, teeth, and mouth:

Drinking and Eating After a Dental Filling

Eating and drinking carefully is essential to dental filling recovery. Here’s what we recommend:

• Wait Until Numbness is Gone: Eating before your local anesthetic wears off can cause you to bite your cheek, tongue, or lip. We recommend eating only when you can feel in your mouth again.
• Eat Soft or Mushy Foods: Hard, sticky, or chewy food and drink can potentially damage your new filling. That’s why it’s best to consume soft foods that are gentler on your teeth.
• Chew on the Opposite Side: If you’ve only gotten a filling on one side of your mouth, or only one side is numb, chew with the other to maintain control over your food.

Practicing Oral Health and Hygiene After a Filling

Even immediately after your filling, you should always perform and maintain good oral health and hygiene habits. Here’s how:

• Brush and Floss: Brushing and flossing are essential, even in pain. We recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush and soft floss to prevent harmful plaque and bacteria.
• Rinse Your Mouth: It’s advisable to rinse your mouth while recovering to eliminate any leftover food or debris. Salted water and non-alcoholic mouthwash can also sanitize the mouth.
• Protect Your Teeth: Physical activity can increase the risk of tooth or filling damage. You should temporarily refrain from intense activity or movement. If you can’t avoid it, we suggest wearing a mouthguard or other protective dental device.

Long-Term Care for a Filled Tooth

Even when your tooth is fully or nearly healed, you should still take the following precautions to prevent future cavities, disease, or decay:

• Continue Healthy Oral Health Habits: As always, it’s essential to continue your brushing, flossing, and mouth-washing regimen to keep your oral cavity clean and prevent bacteria and plaque.
• Monitor Your Diet: Refrain from consuming sugary or acidic food or drink to prevent pain or damage to your teeth. Drink plenty of water to rinse away food particles, bacteria, or debris.
• Schedule Routine Checkups: If your dentist recommends follow-up exams, schedule and attend them. Doing so will allow your dentist to monitor your recovery and progress.

When Should I Call My Dentist

Though you should expect some pain or discomfort after your dental filling, it should disappear after a few days. If it doesn’t, we recommend scheduling a follow-up or same-day dental appointment to have your dentist check it out. Here are a few of the following concerns to be aware of:

• Sharp and severe pain when chewing or biting down.
• Chronic or persistent sensitivity that doesn’t go away.
• Your filling seems uneven or like it’s shifting out of place.
• There are cracks in your filling or pieces falling out of it.
• You’re showing signs of inflammation or infection.
• You can’t open or close your mouth completely.

Receive a Top-Quality Dental Filling From Us

Properly caring for your dental filling after leaving the dentist’s office is critical to maintaining your smile’s overall health and beauty. Hi-Tech Family Dentistry is a leading provider of restorative oral and dental services. From correcting minor chips and cracks to repairing severe tooth fractures, we provide comprehensive dentistry to adults and children in need. If you know or suspect that you need a dental filling, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Our team will thoroughly evaluate your teeth’ health and condition before determining which dental services, appliances, or solutions best meet your needs. By choosing us, you’ll receive dental partners who are dedicated to making your smile the best it can possibly be.