After getting a filling, it’s important to be cautious about what you eat in order to promote healing and prevent any damage to the filling or surrounding teeth. Here are some food and drink recommendations to consider after getting a filling:
- Soft Foods After getting a filling, your tooth may be sensitive and tender, so it’s important to eat soft foods that are easy to chew and won’t irritate the area. Foods like mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, smoothies, and soup are great options.
- Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods Avoid eating hard and sticky foods, such as nuts, candy, and popcorn, which can damage the filling or surrounding teeth. Additionally, chewy or sticky foods like caramel and taffy can stick to the filling and cause it to dislodge or break.
- Cool Foods and Drinks After getting a filling, you may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. To reduce discomfort, try to eat cool or room temperature foods and drinks for a few days.
- Drink Plenty of Water Drinking plenty of water is always important for maintaining good oral health, but it’s especially important after getting a filling. Water can help wash away any food particles that may get stuck in the filling, preventing decay and infection.
- Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Alcohol and tobacco can irritate the area around the filling and slow down the healing process. It’s best to avoid these substances for at least a few days after getting a filling.
- Chew Carefully Be careful when chewing, especially near the filled tooth. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth or use your front teeth to avoid putting too much pressure on the filled tooth.
- Wait to Brush It’s important to wait at least an hour after getting a filling before brushing your teeth. This allows the filling to set properly and reduces the risk of damaging it. After an hour, you can brush and floss as usual.
In conclusion, after getting a filling, it’s important to be mindful of the foods and drinks you consume to ensure proper healing and prevent any damage to the filling or surrounding teeth. Stick to soft foods, avoid hard and sticky foods, and drink plenty of water. Be cautious when chewing and wait to brush your teeth for at least an hour. Following these guidelines can help you recover quickly and maintain good oral health.