You’re getting a cavity filling in Seattle. This is extremely common in children and adults. A good dentist won’t make you feel bad for needing a filling. However, it can be a nerve-wracking experience, and they’ll offer tips to help remain calm while in the chair.

You’ll want to do something special after the filling. What can you do? How long should you wait to eat? Here’s all you need to know for after the filling.

When to Start Eating After the Filling

We start with food. You may want to go out to eat with friends to treat yourself after the cavity filling in Seattle. Don’t go out right away, though.

You’ll want to wait for the numbing agent to wear off in your mouth first. If your mouth is still numb, the food isn’t going to taste as good. You’re also at risk of biting your tongue or lip without realizing it. This can lead to doing more damage then you usually would. So, you’ll want to make sure your mouth is ready for food.

What to Eat After a Cavity Filling in Seattle

There used to be rules about not eating anything hard for a few days to even a few weeks. This is the case with metal fillings, which don’t harden all that quickly. They are also more likely to pull out. It’s not the case as much with the white fillings. The blue light helps to harden the material quickly.

However, you’ll still want to avoid sticky and hard foods for a few hours after the filling. You may want to avoid them for 24 hours. After all, why are you risking the work that’s just been put in?

Watch Out for Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth are common after a cavity filling in Seattle. You’ve had some work done to the area around the nerve, and this can lead to a little pain or discomfort. It should only be minor. If there is a lot of pain, you’ll need to go back to your dentist immediately.

Sensitivity could be to hot or cold foods. You may feel like your gums pulsate a little, or you may feel just a small twinge in the tooth that had the filling or the teeth nearby. Avoid anything that causes the sensitivity issues right away and wait for the tooth to heal a little.

Continue with Your Regular Oral Hygiene Routine

There is a myth that you can’t brush your teeth once you’ve had a filling for a while. That’s not the case at all. Why would a dentist want you not to brush and flossing your teeth? You can return to your normal oral hygiene routine straight after your cavity filling in Seattle.

You’ll want to get back to normal right away. This will help protect the other teeth in your mouth. It also helps to protect the tooth around the filling to make sure there are no problems around or underneath it.

A cavity filling in Seattle doesn’t have to be scary. You just need to know what to do to care for it afterward.