If you have a broken or decayed tooth, your dentist may have suggested restoring it with a dental filling. Before the procedure, many people wonder when they can resume their normal diet. The time you should wait to eat after a filling depends on the type of filling material used and how long the effect of anesthesia lasts. Let’s get into more details.
How Long Should You Wait to Eat After a Dental Filling?
Once you walk out of the dental clinic after getting a filling, the treated area will remain numb for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure. During this time, it is best to avoid eating until the effect of anesthesia wears off completely. Another thing that matters is the type of dental filling. If you received a:
Composite filling: You will have to wait just until the anesthetic effect wears off. The general recommendation is to wait 2 hours. Composite fillings harden immediately under a UV light, so you don’t have to abandon your favorite foods for too long.
Amalgam filling: This filling material takes a bit longer to set. They need about 24 hours to harden completely, so during this time, you should avoid chewing on the treated side. Your dentist will also ask you to avoid eating hard foods until the filling hardens fully.
What Foods to Avoid Soon After a Filling?
You should refrain from eating anything for at least the first 2 hours after the dental filling procedure. When the numbness wears off, it is better to start with easy-to-chew foods like scrambled eggs, boiled veggies, or mashed potatoes. This gives your tooth some time to adjust to the new change.
Even after the initial wait period is over and you get back to your normal diet, there are some things you should avoid, especially for the first few days:
- Hard or crunchy foods, like nuts, candies, chips, and pretzels.
- Sticky foods, like caramel or chewing gum.
- Acidic foods and drinks, like citrus fruits or sodas.
- Very hot or cold foods and drinks (especially if sensitivity occurs).
- Sugary foods because they may promote decay around the new filling.
How Soon Can You Drink After a Dental Filling?
You can drink soon after getting a dental filling, but it is best to start with cool or lukewarm drinks. Avoid drinks at extreme temperatures, especially hot drinks, for the first 2 hours. Since you will still have some numbness, you may hurt your tongue or lips without being aware of it.
Moreover, your treated tooth might be a little sensitive for a few hours after treatment. For this reason, you should also avoid acidic, sugary, or fizzy drinks for a few hours. Drink plain water (at room temperature) if you feel thirsty or want to sip on something after treatment.
To Conclude
So, if you are wondering how long after a filling you can eat, most dentists recommend waiting for at least 2 hours after the procedure. After this period, you can get back to your normal diet after a composite filling. But you still need to be careful for the first 24 hours after getting an amalgam filling.
For more personalized guidelines, visit our expert dentist at Alonso Family Dental today. Call us at (281) 778 8400 to schedule an appointment.