How Long After a Tooth Filling Can You Eat?

In Como, Perth, composite bonding is becoming a favoured choice for people wanting a nicer smile. This dental method fixes different issues in your teeth by using a special material that matches your tooth's colour, shaped carefully and polished until it looks perfect. It's a quick and simple way to make your smile look better, fixing problems like stains, gaps, and small chips or cracks in just one visit. We'll talk about how it works, how long it lasts, and how much it might cost, showing why many people choose this for a fast and effective way to improve their smiles.

After a silver amalgam tooth filling, you should wait 24 hours before eating again. However, for composite fillings, you can eat immediately afterwards. You should avoid sticky and hard foods after receiving a tooth filling, and smoothies are best for the first day after a silver amalgam filling.

Composite resin fillings are the most popular type of tooth filling in Australia, although amalgam fillings have a long, popular history. Depending on which one you get, eating afterwards could hold some limitations.

During a dental filling procedure, a cavity may be filled with composite or porcelain. In this article, the team at JC Dental explains why you may have to wait before eating after getting tooth fillings. We’ll also provide you with a comprehensive list of safe foods to eat within the first 24 hours after a filling.

Key Takeaways

  • Amalgam fillings take 24 hours to harden, so avoid chewing for a day.
  • You can eat immediately after a composite filling, but soft foods are best for the first 2 days.
  • Hot and cold drinks can compromise your filling — avoid these for the first 48 hours.
  • You should never chew gum or smoke after a tooth filling, since either may compromise the bonding process.

Why Should You Wait Before Eating After a Tooth Filling?

How Long After a Tooth Filling Can You Eat

You should wait before eating after a tooth filling because some tooth fillings are still done with amalgam (also known as silver). These fillings take 24 hours to harden, so chewing may compromise their integrity. Composite resin hardens immediately, so eating normally is fine immediately after these fillings.

Filling Type Hardening Time Eating Recommendation
Amalgam (silver) 24 hours Wait before chewing on the filled tooth
Composite (white) Immediate Eat once the numbness wears off

What Soft Foods are Fine to Eat After a Tooth Filling?

Foods that are fine to eat after a tooth filling include mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and plain yoghurt. Porridge (oats) and cottage cheese are also safe. It’s generally best to eat foods that are light in colour, soft, and require little to no chewing.

Here’s a list of eight foods you can eat after any tooth filling, as well as five smoothie options.

Soft Food Description Notes
Mashed potato Smooth and easy to eat Avoid adding crispy toppings
Scrambled eggs Soft and protein-rich Cook slowly for a fluffier texture
Yoghurt Cool and soothing Choose plain or fruit varieties
Soup Warm and nourishing Avoid chunky or very hot soups
Banana Naturally soft and sweet Easy to eat without much chewing
Oatmeal Gentle on the teeth Let it cool slightly before eating
Avocado Creamy and nutritious Mash for an even smoother texture
Smoothie Blended fruit and yoghurt Avoid seeds and ice chunks

Smoothie Options

Smoothie Ingredients Notes
Banana blend Banana, yoghurt, milk Soft and creamy, easy to drink
Berry mix Strawberries, blueberries, yoghurt Use seedless or strained berries
Mango delight Mango, coconut milk, honey Naturally sweet and smooth
Oat smoothie Oats, banana, almond milk Nutritious and gentle on teeth
Avocado shake Avocado, milk, vanilla Extra creamy and nutrient-rich

What Foods Should You Avoid After a Tooth Filling?

After a tooth filling, avoid all foods that are hard to chew, sticky, or sugary. It’s also best to avoid any foods that are brightly coloured. You must stay away from sweets, popcorn, and citrus fruits within the first week of receiving a new filling, because of their hard materials and sugar or acid content.

Food Type Examples Reason to Avoid
Hard Foods Nuts, crunchy sweets, ice cubes Can crack or dislodge filling
Sticky Foods Toffees, chewing gum, caramel May pull out the filling
Very Hot Foods Soup, tea, coffee Can increase sensitivity
Very Cold Foods Ice cream, cold drinks May trigger pain or discomfort
Sugary Foods Cakes, biscuits, fizzy drinks Increases risk of decay
Acidic Foods Citrus fruits, vinegar-based foods Can cause irritation and sensitivity

Are There Drinks You Should Avoid After Getting a Filling?

Yes, you should avoid very hot beverages, like coffee or tea, and icy beverages, like soda and ice water. This is because, after getting a filling, temperature is more important than the type of drink. Very hot beverages may expand your teeth and cause the filling to become compromised. In the same way, very cold beverages may contract your teeth.

How Can Eating Too Soon Compromise a Tooth Filling?

Eating too soon after a tooth filling may compromise the treatment by damaging the contents of the filling itself. There is also a risk of infection after a tooth filling because of gum vulnerability. Amalgam takes 24 hours to set, and chewing or biting after this type of filling may completely remove the filling from the tooth cavity.

Speak to the team at JC Dental if you have any other questions about eating after a tooth filling. We’ll advise you on what you can eat and when, based on the treatment you’ve received or are about to receive.

FAQs on How Long After a Tooth Filling Can You Eat?

Is it normal for my tooth to be sensitive after a filling?

Yes, it’s completely normal for your tooth to be sensitive after a filling. That’s because the anaesthesia is wearing off, and the drilling and filling of your tooth will make your teeth and gums feel fragile. However, this should wear off after several hours, or a day or two at most.

Can I chew gum after getting a filling?

No, you should not chew gum after getting a filling. Gum is sticky and may dislodge the filling. You can safely chew gum two days after any kind of filling. If you chew gum, choose a sugar-free variety for the first week.

Can I smoke after getting a tooth filled?

No, it’s best not to smoke after getting a tooth filled. Smoking within the first 48 hours of a tooth filling may slow down the healing of your gums. Heat from the smoke may also disturb the setting of the filling material, slowing down the bonding process.

How long does it take for the numbness to wear off after a filling?

It typically takes between 1 and 3 hours for the numbness to wear off after a filling. The local anaesthesia will still leave a residual numb feeling on your mouth, but it will go away after a while. To speed up the return of feeling to your mouth, massage your gums and drink lots of room-temperature water.

Back to Top: How Long After a Tooth Filling Can You Eat?

Prepare for sparkling teeth and shiny confidence.

Book now at JC Dental for dental cleaning Perth and Como.
Contact Us
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Address
Email
Phone Number
Text/WhatsApp/WeChat
weChat
Working Hours
Monday - Friday : 9.00am - 5.00pm 
Saturday :               9.00am - 1.00pm