Dental Filling Aftercare: Do’s, and Don’ts

During your routine appointment for exams and cleanings with the dentist near you, if the professional detect a cavity, they recommend getting it filled immediately before the cavity expands to create significant damage. You might think the cavity will heal itself, which it doesn’t, and compels you to accept the dentist’s suggestion to have your tooth restored immediately.

The hole in your tooth is permanent damage created by your mouth bacteria that erodes the tooth enamel. Counting on the location and the extent of the damage produced by the bacteria, your dentist recommends appropriate fillers to ensure your smile remains intact even after getting the fillings.

The dentist requires approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete the filling of your tooth. When getting cavity fillings near you, the dentist numbs your tooth to prevent discomfort as they drill the tooth for tooth decay removal. After cleaning and disinfecting the hole, the dentist places a filling in the tooth to seal the hollow space.

You might receive silver amalgam fillings if the cavity on your tooth is on a molar where biting pressures are high. Alternatively, if you have a hole on a front tooth, you receive tooth-colored composite resin fillings. Before leaving the dental office, the dentist recommends after-care instructions for the fillers to ensure they stay in your mouth as long as possible.

What Are the After-Care Instructions after Getting Dental Fillings?

Do’s

Depending on the type of fillings you receive, you must remain cautious about your food immediately after the filling procedure. Composite resin fillings harden instantly under ultraviolet light, making it possible for you to eat and drink soon after. However, you must remain cautious and not eat until the numbing medication wears off for fear of biting the soft tissues in your mouth. If you experience pain and swelling, you must refrain from eating until it subsides.

Silver amalgam fillings need additional time to harden. Therefore cavity fillings in Chaska recommend that you wait for 24 hours until you have any hard foods after receiving the fillers. You can have food that requires minimal chewing but must stay away from crunchy and complex foods.

You might experience mild to moderate discomfort following the filling procedure. The pain subsides within 12 hours, allowing you to eat whatever you want without experiencing tooth sensitivity or irritation. However, if the sensitivity and discomfort extend beyond 24 hours, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers or contact your dentist to check the filling and ensure no infections are developing.

If you have a persistent toothache, do not hesitate to contact your dentist because the decay may have reached your dental pulp. You might need root canal therapy to eradicate the infection.

Do not hesitate to brush and floss your teeth after getting dental fillings. Ensure that you use the proper technique to remove all plaque on and between your teeth. So long as you brush and floss gently around the affected tooth, you can keep the area clean as usual.

Don’ts

After getting dental fillings, you might want to refrain from having hot and cold beverages for a few days. Sticky, complex, and chewy foods are better avoided for approximately two weeks. Anything that requires excessive chewing, like meat or hard bites, is best avoided. Highly acidic foods can cause infections requiring you to refrain from having them.

How Do Cavities Develop?

The lack of proper dental hygiene practices is the primary reason for cavities to develop. If you neglect brushing and flossing using the techniques recommended by your dentist, you allow plaque to remain on and between your teeth. Plaque deposits toxins on your tooth enamel to erode it. When the bacteria from the toxins penetrate your tooth enamel, you develop a cavity.

That said, it is challenging to remove all plaque on and between your teeth. Therefore, dentists recommend getting six monthly exams and cleanings primarily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, if you neglect appropriate brushing and flossing besides dental appointments, you become a victim of permanent damage to your tooth.

The dental fillers restore your tooth but don’t eliminate the cavity in your mouth. Therefore you must exercise caution after getting dental fillings to ensure they protect your teeth for as long as possible. Eventually, you will need replacements for the dental fillers to prevent additional damage. However, until the time arrives, you must care for the dental fillers as best possible to prolong your life their lifespan.

If you need dental fillings in Chaska, Town Dental provides them with comprehensive instructions on caring for them. Kindly do not hesitate to contact this practice for the fillers to restore your damaged tooth.