When tooth decay gets out of hand, tooth fillings are a great way to restore your smile and protect your teeth from further breakdown.
Thanks to the wonders of modern dentistry, tooth-colored – or composite resin – fillings are incredibly dependable and can last for years and dentists have trusted metal amalgam fillings to handle cavities for over a century, but no matter which type of tooth filling you have, its lifespan weighs heavily on your dental care habits at home. With that said, how can you care for your fillings to help them last as long as possible?
At Oaks Dental Group , we want to address all your questions and concerns and leave you feeling confident in your dental care routine. So, here you will learn expert tips for taking care of your tooth fillings.
Let’s kick things off with an insider tip that can help you on your road to recovery. Before your treatment, taking an anti-inflammatory like Motrin or Advil can help with any pain or discomfort that may come up when the local anesthesia wears off. These medications can have a pain-relieving effect and help your body react better to the treatment. Of course, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any anti-inflammatory medication to avoid any adverse effects.
After a filling, people usually want to know how soon they can start eating and drinking again.
If you had a tooth-colored filling put in at Oaks Dental Group, then you’re good to go as soon as you leave the office. You can go about your day as usual and even grab something to eat on the way home if you like, but you may still experience some numbness from the anesthetic, so be careful not to mistake your cheek for that french fry you’re chewing on.
For metal amalgam fillings, we recommend waiting for one to two hours before returning to your regular diet. These restorations can take up to 24-48 hours to harden fully, so be careful eating hard or sticky foods too soon. It can disrupt the setting process.
Absolutely. For one to two days after your treatment, tooth sensitivity in the affected tooth is totally normal.
Some patients have sensitive teeth for a week or two afterward, but don’t worry. As long as you’re not in pain, there’s no need to be concerned.
To ease your symptoms, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste; just make sure it contains fluoride. And here’s another little-known tip:
When you’re finished brushing, spit, but don’t rinse. This trick allows the fluoride to stay on your teeth longer, more effectively reducing your sensitivity and strengthening your enamel.
Pretty cool, huh?
If it’s painful to chew after a filling, you may need to visit Oaks Dental Group to get your restoration adjusted.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: “Is that going to hurt?” But don’t worry. Filling adjustments are an easy, pain-free fix.
If you notice any pain, give your dental care professional a call right away to set up a readjustment.
With proper care, fillings have been known to last for up to ten years. Now, we’re not promising that yours will last a decade. But if you want your tooth filling to stick around for the long haul, you’ll need to stay on top of your at-home dental care routine.
Here are some tips for managing your restoration like a dental pro:
After a filling treatment, your restoration’s health is almost entirely in your hands. Now that we’ve taught you how to care for a filling, it’s up to you to apply these tips to maintain your oral health. According to the American Dental Association, “The best dental filling is no dental filling. Prevention is the best medicine.” And we couldn’t agree more. Be diligent with your dental care at home to avoid any more cavities and protect your oral health.