After Care Tips for Dental Fillings
Tooth decay is a chronic condition among children and adults in the United States. Dental caries are a result of improper oral hygiene and avoiding regular visits to the dentist for examinations and cleanings. More often than not, tooth decay results in cavities needing dental fillings both for adults and children.
Dental fillings are quite common and are placed by dentists by drilling the tooth to clean the decay within before placing a filling chosen by the patient. The procedure is quite standard but will leave many patients with mild or moderate pain and discomfort. In this blog, we are providing some helpful tips on what you should or should not do after a dental filling is placed. Information about when to return to the dentist about any discomfort you are experiencing is also mentioned. Here are the aftercare tips to follow after having dental fillings placed.
Food after Dental Fillings
If dental fillings have been placed on your child’s teeth, his or her lips, cheek, and tongue will be numb for approximately 2 to 3 hours. During this time, you must take care to ensure your child does not scratch, bite, or pick at the numb areas. Restricting the diet to liquids like milkshakes or smoothies during the first three hours will be helpful. After that, the child can be provided with soft foods for the rest of the day. The menus can include soup, yogurt, eggs, and other items. Regular brushing and flossing should resume by the evening. If the child complains about discomfort when chewing after a few days, the dentist must be contacted for adjustments of the height of the filling, which is a short and painless procedure.
Sensitivity In the Teeth after Dental Filling
You can experience sensitivity for up to three weeks after dental fillings. The sensitivity will be for hot and cold foods and the pressure of biting on the new filling. To avoid this problem, you can use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Avoiding hot and cold foods during the first few weeks is recommended while trying to chew food on the other side of the mouth. If the sensitivity does not subside after a couple of weeks, the dentist’s office must be contacted.
Toothaches After Dental Fillings
If you experience symptoms indicating a toothache after the fillings have been placed, it may be suggesting deep decay in the pulp of your tooth. You may need a root canal if this is the case. Contact the dentist in Conway if you believe this may be the problem.
Treating Additional Cavities after Dental Fillings
Cavities can and will develop as time passes by. If your teeth are particularly sensitive after having a dental filling placed, you must discuss with your dentist about available alternative options. Every patient responds differently to different types of metal fillings. Additional preventive measures can be used by your dentists, such as a desensitizing agent, liner, or base.
Foods to Avoid after Dental Filling
It would be best to avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods after receiving dental fillings for approximately two weeks. If you are experiencing sensitivity, you will benefit from avoiding hot or cold beverages and foods. However, you can continue brushing your teeth after dental fillings. Brushing your teeth two times a day and flossing once every day is recommended by Dr. John Patangan both for adults and kids.
Painful Conditions Can Be Alleviated
If you are experiencing physical discomfort, you can rely on over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen after dental fillings. Kids First Dental Conway recommends Tylenol or Motrin for children experiencing discomfort in the tooth and gums.
Children should usually heal if the instructions mentioned are followed. Adults as well will not experience significant discomfort after dental fillings, which are quite common and are necessary to treat cavities on their teeth. Issues can occur if tooth decay is deep both among children and adults who may need to undergo more invasive treatments like root canals before the tooth can be filled and restored by the dentist. The procedures may sound scary but are easily managed by dentists who administer local anesthesia when performing the treatment. Using the aftercare tips suggested for dental fillings will make it easier for you to manage your dental situation effectively.