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Oct

Post Operative Instructions for Dental Fillings

Post Operative Instructions for Dental Fillings might seem confusing, but a few simple steps can help you heal faster and avoid pain. Need help? Call us at (512) 863-7561.

Thanks for trusting us for the dental filling services, and we gave you the best service possible. The entire process for dental fillings is designed to treat cavities and restore the natural shape of your tooth, allowing it to function normally again. However, aftercare is essential for proper healing and to make it last longer. Here are a few straightforward guidelines for post operative instructions for dental fillings.

Post Operative Instructions for Dental Fillings For Pain & Discomfort

It is common to experience mid pain, discomfort, and sensitivity after the procedure. But it will get better over time, and eating medicine on time and using home remedies. Pain can last longer if the cavity is deep or near the nerve. To manage the symptoms, do the following:

● Pain Killers: You can take OTC pain killers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you are allergic to it so you can take any other that you take for your body and headache.

● Sensitivity: This will resolve on its own after a few days. But, if it's too much and not getting better by the week, then you must visit us. Generally, sensitivity towards hot and cold items after dental fillings is considered normal.

What To Eat:

While everything is getting better and you are in the recovery phase, it's essential to switch your diet for a few days until everything is back to normal.

● Switch to soft foods: Avoid hard, crunchy foods for 1 to 2 days after the fillings. If you have white or composite fillings, then you must take extra care of them. It will help in preventing discomfort and make the healing process smooth.

● Avoid Hot/Cold Beverages: You might feel sensitive towards hot and cold beverages for the first few days. So, it's better to avoid them.

● Eat from the other side: if you have fillings that are placed in the tooth so it's recommended to eat from the other side for at least one day. Here, you have to be careful, as eating from the filling side will put unnecessary pressure and will not give the filling time to set.

Oral Care:

Taking good care of your teeth is essential after the filling. It will prevent decay and ensure the filling lasts longer. Let's see what options you have for oral care.

● Brushing: Continue your regular brushing from tomorrow if you had fillings today. But use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush gently. Be gentle around the filling side.

● Flossing: You can continue flossing normally around the filling. But doing it forcefully can dislodge the filling. In the first few days, you have to be careful. And, it will get better when everything get normal.

● Mouthwash: The guide for mouthwash is the same as for others. Like, you can use it. But avoid vigorous rinsing. If use it properly, it will help in treating gum irritation.

Numbness

If you had local anesthesia during the filling process, then avoid eating until the numbness wears off. Eating while you are feeling numb can accidentally bite your mouth, teeth, or cheeks.

● Wait, until the numbness wears off: wait for numbness to wear off. It can take up to 2-3 hours. You can ask a dentist as well about it. Start eating lightly, and if it's digesting easily, then have a full meal.

● Tooth Sensitivity After Treatment: It is normal to feel sensitive when touching or putting pressure on the tooth. Normally, it will subside on its own after some time. But if it's not improving or increasing. It requires a check-up. So, you need to visit us.

Temporary Fillings vs Permanent Fillings

After a temporary filling, you can eat after about 30 minutes to 1 hour, but only soft foods and nothing sticky or hard, because the material can be easily damaged. For permanent fillings, the timing depends on the type: with composite (white) fillings, you can eat as soon as the numbness wears off since they harden immediately, while with amalgam (silver) fillings, you should wait 24 hours before chewing on that side to allow the filling to fully set.

What to Avoid:

Here are a few things you need to avoid to ensure proper healing and stay away from any complications.

● Avoid Smoking:

● Avoid Hard Biting:

When to Call us:

Expect some pain or discomfort after the fillings and will get back to normal after 2-3 days. But, its must to follow the complete Post Operative Instructions for Dental Fillings properly. But here are a few signs that you should call us if:

● Extreme pain that is not getting better with time and medicines.

● Loose filings or fall out entirely

● Noticing a sharp edge on the filling.

● Swelling or pus near the filling.

● Extreme sensitivity that is not getting better with time.

How to Care For Longer Term

Once the healing phase is done, it's essential to follow these guidelines for a longer purpose:

Regular Visits: Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups will help us monitor the condition of your fillings and look for early signs of decay.

Brushing & Flossing: Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day will help in oral hygiene. This will help in keeping the gums and teeth healthy and prevent away from building plaque.

Conclusion

Following the post operative instructions for dental fillings will help in increasing the longevity of your fillings, and you can have maximum benefits from it.

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