After a filling, many people are unsure what they can eat without damaging it. This article explains what to do in the first hours and the first days.
- After a filling, wait until the numbness has gone before eating so you do not bite your cheek, lip or tongue.
- Eat soft, moderately warm food and chew on the unfilled side in the first hours.
- Avoid very hard food, sticky food, and using the filled tooth to bite hard objects.
- If pain increases, the bite feels high or the filling is loose, return for a check.
The first hours after a filling
In many cases you will still have numb lips, tongue or gum from the anaesthetic. While numb, it is very easy to bite your cheek, lip or tongue without noticing, so wait until the numbness has gone before chewing normally.
When you can eat depends on the material the dentist used, so please ask the dentist as soon as the filling is finished.
What can you eat?
- Soft, easy to swallow food such as porridge, soup, eggs, soft rice and yoghurt.
- Food that is only moderately warm, allowed to cool a little before eating, especially if the tooth is sensitive.
- Chew on the side without the filling during the first hours.
What should you avoid?
- Very hard or brittle things such as ice, hard nuts, bones and hard sweets.
- Chewy, sticky food such as toffee, which can pull on the filling.
- Very hot or very cold food and drinks if the tooth is sensitive.
- Strongly coloured drinks such as tea or coffee for the first few days if the filling stains easily.
Caring for a newly filled tooth
- Keep brushing twice a day, gently around the new filling.
- Use floss gently and avoid snapping it hard against the filling between teeth.
- Do not use that tooth to bite hard objects, open bottles or tear packets.
Is mild sensitivity or aching normal?
Some people feel sensitivity or a mild ache when biting for a few days, and this usually eases. If the pain increases, the bite feels high, or the filling seems loose, come back so the dentist can check. You can read more in our articles on sensitivity or pain after a filling and on what to do if a filling falls out.
You are welcome to walk in during opening hours at Nha Khoa Kỳ Hòa, 266A - 268, 3 Tháng 2 Street, Hòa Hưng Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 (Zalo 082.299.3377) to ask about quieter time slots. Our article on whether fillings hurt describes the procedure itself.
Frequently asked questions
How long after a filling can I eat?
It depends on the material and on when the anaesthetic wears off. Usually wait until the numbness is gone, and ask the dentist right after the filling for specifics.
Can I drink cold water after a filling?
Usually yes, but if the tooth is sensitive, avoid very cold or very hot drinks for the first few days.
What if the filling feels high when I bite?
That is a sign to return so the dentist can adjust it, because a high filling can cause pain and damage over time.