A dental filling is a restorative procedure that removes the decay from a tooth and seals it up to prevent further harm. It is one of the most common procedures in dentistry. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require a little extra attention afterward. If you are hungry, but you’ve just had a filling at your dentist, there are a few precautions you will want to take - otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with some unwanted pain.
Follow these 5 tips to relieve chewing pain after getting a filling.
- Stay Away From Harmful Foods
When it comes to protecting your filling and minimizing your pain while your tooth heals, you will want to stay away from a few key foods, including:
- Sticky foods
- Chewy foods
- Hard foods
- Crunchy foods
In other words, foods like ice, chewy candy, popcorn kernels, beef jerky, and so forth should be avoided for a couple of weeks following your procedure. Instead, stick to soft foods that won’t cause harm to the area.
- Chew Small Bites, Slowly
Biting down on your food means putting pressure on your teeth. That’s an awful lot of pressure to put down on a new filling - and it puts you at an increased risk of damaging it. Take small bites, even cutting your food and eating it with a fork. Then, chew it slowly without biting down with a lot of force.
- Eat Foods at the Right Temperature
Foods that are really cold or super hot can cause sensitivity in the area where your new filling is. And, it is not very pleasant. Thankfully, it is not here to stay so you will be able to drink your hot coffee or bite down into your cold, crispy salad soon enough. In the meantime, avoid extreme temperatures and focus on foods that are room temperature or lukewarm.
- Chew With Your Mouth Closed
As you chew, keep your mouth closed. Inhaling the cold air can cause sensitivity as well. For a couple of weeks, you may find that breathing in cool or cold air through the mouth can cause slight pain or discomfort. By chewing with your mouth closed, you can prevent this from happening.
- Ditch the Sugary Sweetness
Sticking with the sensitivity factor that seems to play a big part in recovering and healing from a filling, the tooth that was impacted is not only going to be sensitive to temperature, but also to sweetness and sugar. Whether it is candy or sugary sweet beverages, you may find that the excessive sweetness causes some pain or discomfort along with the sensitivity you experience.
Find Relief For Your Dental Pain at Kevin G. Jones, DDS
Tooth pain can be unbearable - and we are here to offer relief. At Kevin G. Jones, DDS, we offer a comprehensive list of dental care for the entire family. So, no matter what you find yourself dealing with, we can help.
Contact us today at 501-225-4555 . Or, request an appointment online.