Dental fillings are used to treat cavities, and often involve the use of numbing agents to help make the procedure more bearable. However, you may be wondering if you can eat after a dental filling or how long you should wait before trying? The answer depends on the type of filling that is used, as well as the level of pain and discomfort that might be felt after having the dental fillings placed.
For starters, there are two main types of fillings: amalgam filling and composite filling. Composite fillings, also known as white fillings, typically harden and become set almost immediately. This means most patients will only have to wait an hour or two for numbing agents to wear off before being able to eat. Amalgam filling however can take up to 24 hours to completely harden, requiring patients to refrain from eating solid foods for an entire day.
So if your question is whether you can eat after a composite filling, the short answer is: yes (as long as you wait a few hours)!
However, regardless of which filling is placed, patients should definitely stay away from foods that can cause damage to the fillings or exacerbate sensitivity like overly hot/cold foods, foods that are crunchy or hard to chew, or foods that are overly acidic. And of course, it is important to chew any food slowly after getting fillings to minimize the risk of trauma to your teeth.
Can I Eat Rice After Tooth Filling?
So, what can you eat after a white filling? Well, rice is a fantastic food that is easy to eat and has very low risk of causing any trauma, making it a great choice for a meal after a tooth filling. However, make sure the rice is fully cooked as uncooked rice has the risk of causing minor damage to fillings.
Can I Eat Ice Cream After Tooth Filling?
Though ice cream is soft, it should be avoided as the cold can exacerbate sensitivity and pain after a tooth filling. Hard and chewy candies and chocolates should also be avoided. Typically you can reintroduce ice cream and other chilled desserts a few days after tooth filling to allow for sensitivity to go away.
Can I Eat Pizza After Tooth Filling?
Although pizza is tempting to chow down on, unfortunately it should be avoided for a number of reasons. From the chewiness of the dough, to the hard texture of the crust, to even the risk of small toppings getting stuck in your teeth; pizza should be kept off your plate until at least a few days after teeth filling.
Of course, if you’re unsure of what can and cannot be eaten, or how long you should be waiting before introducing solid foods in the first place, be sure to ask your dentist for their recommendations.