Expert Tips for Taking Care of Your Tooth Fillings

Poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of candy can lead to tooth decay. Failure to take your child to the kids’ dentist near you can lead to the erosion of the tooth’s enamel. When your child begins to experience tooth sensitivity, the only solution to save the kid’s tooth is by going to the kids’ dentist in Martinsville, VA. The dentist will recommend dental fillings to seal the cavities caused by tooth decay.

Discover Professional Tips and Little-Known Tricks To Help Your Tooth Fillings Last

When you don’t practice proper oral hygiene, there is a buildup of plaque and tartar that leads to tooth decay. The good news is that Dr. Brown can recommend tooth-colored fillings. Tooth fillings are essential as they can seal cavities and are long-lasting. Although durable, their lifespan depends on how well you take care of your teeth, your diet, and your oral habits. This piece will assist you in taking better care of your tooth fillings. Here are tips to help you do so.

Before Your Expert Tips For Taking Care Of Your Tooth Fillings

Before you go to the dentist who installs dental fillings near you, you can take an anti-inflammatory drug like Advil or Motrin. Nevertheless, be sure to consult with your dentist before purchasing any drug. In addition, you should notify the dentist prior to the procedure if you’ve taken any other drug or if you’re on medication.

The anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve any discomfort after the procedure and prevent inflammation of the gums. Moreover, the drugs can help your body fight any side effects of the tooth filling placement.

How Soon Can I Eat & Drink After a Filling?

After getting a tooth filling, you might wonder when you will recover. This is because you want to go back to eating your favorite foods and beverages. After the treatment, you might experience some sensitivity and numbness. This is normal and should wear off after a few hours.

If the dentist installed amalgam fillings, it would be best to wait up to two hours before returning to your regular foods. However, tooth fillings can take up to 48 hours before they fully harden. You should avoid hard and sticky foods like nuts and candies during this time. They can dislodge the filling.

Expert Tips for Taking Care of Your Tooth Fillings Is Sensitivity After a Filling Normal?

As mentioned earlier, it is normal to experience sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks after a tooth filling. The sensitivity should clear up after one to two days. However, for some patients, the sensitivity lingers for up to two weeks.

However, sensitivity should not be confused with pain. If your treated tooth is aching after the procedure, this is a cause for concern. You should notify your dentist as soon as possible.

What to Do When it Hurts to Chew

Pain is not normal after getting a tooth filling. So, when your child complains of pain whenever they’re chewing food after getting a filling, you should take them to pediatric dental office in Martinsville. The dentist might need to readjust the tooth filling.

How to Care for a Tooth Filling

Fillings are durable dental appliances. However, they can only last for years with good care. Here are tips to make this possible:

• Reduce eating hard, crunchy and sticky foods- hard foods like nuts, ice, and candy can break the filling or dislodge it. It might be a hard ask to completely cut off these foods but try and reduce consumption. Better safe than sorry. Moreover, other habits can lead to damaging the filling. Such habits include opening bottle tops with your teeth and chewing on fingernails and pens.
• Treat the filling as you do your teeth- this means that you brush and floss normally to keep bacteria at bay. So when brushing your teeth, brush your filling too.
• Schedule regular dental appointments- when you schedule regular checkups, the dentist will be able to monitor your oral health and the condition of the tooth filling.

Family-Friendly, Affordable Dental Care in Martinsville, VA

At Kids First Dental, we value your kids’ oral health. So, don’t be afraid to bring them for their first dental appointment. We will handle any oral issue they have, teach them the best oral practices, and put a smile back on their face.