Filling After-Care

• Wait until the numbness has worn off before chewing. This reduces the chance of accidentally biting your lip, cheek or tongue.
• Be careful with hot foods and drinks. A numb mouth may not accurately feel temperature.
• Your lip, tongue or cheek may feel tingly, heavy or swollen for several hours, even though it may not actually be swollen.

• Once the numbness is gone, you can usually eat and drink normally unless your dentist gave you different instructions.
• If the tooth feels tender, choose softer foods and chew on the other side until it is more comfortable.
• Avoid testing the tooth with very hard or sticky foods during the first day. Give yourself time to become comfortable with the new filling.

• Brush and floss the filled tooth normally. Keeping the area clean helps protect the tooth and gums.
• If the gum is tender, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure.
• If you normally take an over-the-counter pain reliever safely, you may use it as directed on the label for mild discomfort.

Your bite can be difficult to judge while your mouth is numb. After the numbness is gone, contact us if the filled tooth touches before your other teeth or hurts when you bite. The filling may need a minor adjustment, which is generally straightforward to correct.