Many dental patients ask their dentist an important question: when can they eat after getting a tooth filled at the clinic? This applies whether the filling is a regular filling, a root canal filling, or even in other procedures such as crowns or dental restorations. Often, they are unsure when it is safe to bite using the treated tooth and chew normally, as they worry about pain or breaking the filling.
In this article, you will learn when you can start eating after dental fillings, what the different types of fillings are, and how to use and care for them so you can protect your tooth after the procedure.
Can I eat or drink after getting a filling?
If you have had a dental filling, your dentist will have treated your tooth either with a regular filling or as part of root canal treatment.
For a standard filling in a molar, the filling material may be either a silver-colored filling, commonly called an “amalgam” (often referred to as “platinum” in some regions), or a tooth-colored “composite” filling that matches the natural shade of your teeth. Composite fillings are light-cured: during the procedure, your dentist shines a special curing light directly on the filling material, which hardens it completely—100%—before you leave the clinic. For that reason, you can usually chew and eat normally on a tooth with a composite filling on the same day.
However, if your dentist placed a silver amalgam (“platinum”) filling, you should wait about two to three hours before eating. Amalgam needs time to set properly and become firm. Eating immediately on a fresh amalgam filling can increase the risk of deforming or cracking the filling while it is still soft.
Can I eat after a root canal filling?
If you have undergone root canal treatment, you are likely to experience some discomfort both before and after the filling, and the tooth will often be more sensitive when you bite or apply pressure.
This pain is usually due to inflammation of the tissues (periodontal ligaments) surrounding the tooth, caused by the instruments and procedures used during root canal treatment.
If you are experiencing pain, you should avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the pain subsides, whether the filling is silver amalgam or tooth-colored composite. Chewing on a painful, inflamed tooth can further irritate the tissues, worsen the inflammation, and increase the intensity of the pain.
If you feel pain during your treatment sessions, you should stop chewing on the treated tooth immediately. If your dentist recommends placing a crown over the root canal–treated tooth, this usually indicates that the tooth is structurally weak and needs extra protection. In this case, it is best to avoid chewing on that tooth until the crown is placed, to prevent the tooth or the filling from fracturing.
Why do dental fillings fall out?
The buildup of bacteria and plaque around a filling increases the likelihood that it will loosen or fall out. That is why you should clean your teeth thoroughly with an appropriate toothbrush several times a day, to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth and around the filling margins.
What is the difference between permanent and temporary fillings?
A dentist places a temporary filling on a broken or decayed part of a tooth when there is not enough time to complete full treatment and restoration in the same visit, or when the tooth needs more evaluation and monitoring before final restoration. A temporary filling is a soft, short-term material that is placed before the permanent filling material is used.
Tips after getting a tooth filled
Here are some ways to help prevent your filling from failing or falling out:
– Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing gently with a soft toothbrush, especially around the filled teeth.
– Visit your dentist if you experience pain in the area of the filling, to prevent the problem from getting worse.
– Avoid harmful habits such as clenching or grinding your teeth or biting down very hard, as this can damage or dislodge the filling.
Some side effects of losing a dental filling
– Intense pain or sensitivity after a filling falls out, due to food getting packed into the exposed area.
– Bacterial accumulation in the unprotected part of the tooth, which can cause further decay inside the tooth.
– Leaving a tooth without a filling for a long time can eventually lead to an abscess.
Regular dental checkups help detect problems early, prevent deterioration of your teeth, and limit the progression of tooth decay before it reaches the dental pulp (nerve).
Dr. Muslim Mansour
Specialist in Prosthodontics – Syrian Board in Prosthodontics
Master’s Degree in Prosthodontics
16 years of experience in the field of dental prosthetics
Dr. Muslim Mansour
Specialist in Prosthodontics – Syrian Board in Prosthodontics
Master’s Degree in Prosthodontics
16 years of experience in the field of dental prosthetics
