After Your Filling: A Guide to Post-Op Care
Congratulations on taking a proactive step for your oral health! Getting a filling is a routine but important procedure that helps protect your smile from further decay. Now that your appointment at Horizon Dental is complete, you might have some questions about what to expect as you recover. How soon can you eat? Is it normal to feel some sensitivity?
We understand that you might feel a bit disoriented, especially if your mouth is still numb from the anesthetic. To help you feel confident and comfortable, we have put together this simple guide on what to expect after your composite (tooth-colored) filling.
The First Few Hours: Navigating Numbness
The most immediate effect you will notice after your appointment is likely the numbness from the local anesthetic. It is normal for your lips, tongue, and cheeks to feel numb or “fat” for several hours. While this feeling will fade, it is important to be cautious during this time.
Because you can’t feel these areas properly, it is very easy to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue without realizing it.
Tips for Eating and Drinking
- Wait to Chew: We strongly recommend avoiding solid foods until the numbness has completely worn off. This is the best way to prevent accidentally biting the inside of your mouth.
- Be Careful with Hot Drinks: Avoid hot beverages like coffee or tea while you are numb. You could burn your mouth and not feel it until later.
- Ready When You Are: One of the great benefits of composite fillings is that they are fully hardened and set by the time you leave our office. Once the anesthetic wears off, you can chew on your new filling right away!
A Special Note for Parents
If your child received a filling, it is important to observe them closely until the anesthetic wears off. The strange sensation can be confusing for children, often leading them to chew on their numb lips or cheeks. This can cause serious sores and swelling, so keeping them distracted is a good strategy until the feeling returns.
What to Expect: Sensitivity and Soreness
It is very common to experience some sensitivity after a dental restoration. This can be a reaction to cold, extreme temperature changes, or even pressure when you bite.
Why is My Tooth Sensitive?
Usually, the deeper the original cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be after being filled. The nerve inside your tooth can become irritated by the decay and the process of cleaning it out. It just needs a little time to calm down. This sensitivity typically lasts for a few days to a few weeks.
How to Manage Discomfort
- Over-the-Counter Relief: To alleviate tenderness, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen (Motrin™, Advil™), Tylenol™, or aspirin as directed.
- Gum and Injection Site Soreness: The gum tissue around the filled tooth may have been irritated during the procedure and could be sore for a few days. The site where the anesthetic was injected might also feel tender. This is normal and should subside quickly.
If your sensitivity persists for more than a few days or seems to be getting worse instead of better, please contact our office.
Your Bite and Your New Filling
At Horizon Dental, we work carefully to shape your new filling so it fits perfectly with your natural bite. However, since you are numb when we make the final adjustments, it is sometimes difficult to get it perfect on the first try.
Once the numbness is gone, pay attention to how your teeth come together. Does it feel like you are hitting that one spot first? Does chewing feel “off” or unbalanced? If so, please call us to schedule a simple adjustment. A filling that is too “high” will not correct itself and can cause significant pain and soreness if left untreated. The adjustment is quick, easy, and provides immediate relief.
Getting Used to the New Feeling
Your finished restoration may have a slightly different contour or texture than your original tooth. Your tongue is extremely sensitive and tends to magnify these small differences, making them feel more dramatic than they are. Give it a few days—you will become accustomed to the new feeling, and soon you will not even notice it.
When to Call Horizon Dental
Your health and comfort are our top priorities, even after you have left our care. Please do not hesitate to call our office if you experience any of the following:
- Your bite feels uneven.
- You have persistent pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication.
- You have any other questions or concerns about your recovery.
By following these simple instructions, you are helping to ensure your new filling serves you well for years to come. Thank you for trusting Horizon Dental with your smile