How to Care for Your Cavity Filling: 5 Essential Aftercare Tips for Riverside, CA Patients

Getting a cavity filling is an important step in maintaining your oral health. It’s a quick and effective treatment to prevent further decay and restore the function of your tooth. However, aftercare is essential to ensure your filling lasts and you remain comfortable as your tooth heals. At Parkside Dental in Riverside, California, we believe in helping our patients understand the best practices for cavity-filling aftercare. Here are five essential tips to ensure a smooth recovery and long-lasting results.

1. Avoid Eating for the First Few Hours

After getting your cavity filling, giving the material time to set is important. Avoid eating or drinking for at least 2 hours if you have a composite (tooth colored) filling and 24 hours if you have a silver amalgam filling. This will allow the filling to harden and bond with your tooth fully. Eating or drinking too soon can cause the filling to shift or even damage it.

2. Be Mindful of Temperature Sensitivity

It’s normal to experience some mild sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures in the first few days after your filling. This is a common side effect of the procedure, especially if you had a deep filling near the nerve. Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks, and stick to room-temperature items to minimize discomfort. If sensitivity persists beyond a week or becomes painful, contact Parkside Dental so we can evaluate the filling.

3. Avoid Chewing on the Filled Tooth Immediately

While your filling settles in, avoiding chewing directly on the filled tooth for at least 24 hours is important. Chewing on it too soon can place unnecessary pressure on the filling and potentially cause it to crack or come loose. In the days following your procedure, try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth to allow your filling to integrate with the tooth structure properly.

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4. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining your usual dental hygiene regimen is essential, even if you now have a filling. Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day, and gently floss the area that is filled in.  Avoid aggressive brushing near the filling, as this could cause the filling to wear down prematurely. Keeping your teeth clean around the filling will prevent plaque buildup and decay from forming around the edges of the filling.

5. Watch for Any Changes or Discomfort

After your filling, you may feel slight discomfort or notice slight changes in how your teeth bite together. If you think the filling is too high or your bite feels off, contacting Parkside Dental is important. A high filling can cause discomfort when chewing or even lead to damage to surrounding teeth. We can adjust the filling to ensure that your bite is perfectly aligned.

Call Parkside Dental for Expert Care!

Caring for your cavity filling is essential to maintain oral health and ensure your filling lasts. At Parkside Dental in Riverside, CA, we provide high-quality dental care and helpful aftercare advice to keep your smile looking its best. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, call us today at (951) 470-3379. We’re here to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile!