You may have heard that you should avoid chewing in the area of a dental filling for at least 24 hours after having a cavity repaired.
However, after filling a cavity, your dental specialist will have explicit guidelines for you to follow concerning when and what to eat.
Certain types of fillings may affect your wait time. We share some suggested tips for eating following a tooth filling.
Your wait time may be different depending on the kind of filling you get:
Read also: Dental Filling
Foods not to eat.
In general, it is a good idea to avoid hard foods that require taking hard bites and a lot of chewing, which eliminates most meats right off the bat. Also, food that is either hot or cold can cause unwanted irritation in the affected area and can delay the recovery time after the filling. Lastly, avoid any foods that are highly acidic as the mouth is much more prone to infection after a filling.
The best foods to eat
While many delicious foods are off-limits after a filling, there are many other delicious meal choices that you can eat after a filling, such as soup and crackers or scrambled eggs. The goal is to find food that goes down easy with little to no chewing. Be sure to make the most of the situation, and try eating foods you normally would never try. If you choose food that is either really hot or cold – such as a bowl of soup or a fruit smoothie – be sure to keep it as close to room temperature as possible.
Tips for eating after a filling
Recommended wait time: If the filling is made of metal it’s best to wait 24 hours for the filling to harden. If the filling is resin-based, it hardens instantly so you can eat or drink immediately (Two hours waiting is recommended)
Resources:
healthline.com