Tooth Filling Aftercare: Manage Sensitivity & Speed Up Recovery

With a tooth filling in Durham, NC from Max Dental Studio, you can eliminate your cavity, restore your tooth, and get your oral health back on track. Not only that, but you can avoid future complications that may require further care, like a root canal and a dental crown.

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But what happens after you have your tooth filled by Dr. Mauro Nunes and our team? What can you expect after the procedure, and how can you make sure your recovery goes smoothly? In this guide, we’ll discuss the basics of what to expect from your filling, as well as a few top dental filling aftercare tips, and the most common causes of tooth sensitivity after the filling procedure.

Understanding The Filling Process – What To Expect

Before we get into the details of what you can expect when recovering from a filling, it’s a good idea to discuss the basics of how fillings work and what you can expect from your visit to Max Dental Studio. Here’s a quick overview of the dental filling process:

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• Oral exam and treatment planning – First, you’ll come in for a visit with Dr. Nunes. He will take X-rays and perform an oral exam to see how serious your tooth decay is, and whether or not you’re a good candidate for a tooth-colored dental filling. Once approved, you will typically schedule a separate appointment for your filling.
  
  
• Numbing and preparing your tooth – At your next visit, Dr. Nunes will begin by cleaning up the treatment area and numbing your mouth. Then, he will use a dental drill to gently remove any decayed material around your cavity. This ensures that all of your remaining tooth structure is healthy, strong, and ready for a filling.
  
  
• Placing your filling – Once he has prepped your tooth, Dr. Nunes will apply dental composite to the tooth. This will be matched to the color of your natural enamel for a seamless restoration. Dr. Nunes will shape and sculpt the filling to ensure it fits perfectly into your tooth, then use a UV light to harden it and finalize the shape of your filling.
  
  
• Final steps and adjustments – Lastly, Dr. Nunes will check your bite with a special type of paper, then trim your filling to make sure that it fits into your bite perfectly. Then, he will polish your newly-restored tooth and send you home.

Tips For Tooth Filling Aftercare And Managing Sensitivity

Fillings are a minimally-invasive procedure, and typically cause very little pain, discomfort, or sensitivity. You can get back to your normal routine right after your visit to Max Dental Studio, and even go back to work or school. Still, if you want to make sure you recover quickly, there are a few simple steps you can take:

Don’t eat until your numbing wears off

It’s best to wait about two hours before you eat after your visit. This allows the filling more time to set and become stable. It also ensures that your numbing wears off so that you don’t accidentally chew your lips, tongue, or cheeks while you’re eating.

Eat soft foods and avoid hot/cold drinks for 24 hours

Your filling needs about 24 hours to set completely, and this is when sensitivity is usually the highest, too. For this reason, it’s best to eat mostly soft foods like yogurt, scrambled eggs, and soft bread for the first day after your procedure. It’s best to avoid really hot and iced drinks, too, since these can cause more sensitivity.

Start brushing and flossing right away

You can start brushing and flossing normally right after you get your filling at Max Dental Studio. This helps keep your tooth healthy and prevents further decay, both in the treated tooth and in all of your other teeth. Make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes with ADA-approved toothpaste and floss once daily to remove debris that can’t be removed with brushing alone.

Get a nightguard if you grind your teeth

If you grind your teeth at night, it’s a good idea to get a nightguard to protect your filling and your other teeth. Over time, teeth grinding places extra strain on both your natural teeth and your dental work. This can lead to chipped, worn, and damaged teeth, as well as premature failure of fillings, crowns, and more.

Why Is My Tooth Sensitive After Getting A Filling?

As mentioned above, some sensitivity is normal after your filling. This is because, during the filling process, Dr. Nunes must remove some of your tooth with a dental drill. This puts pressure on the nerves and pulp below your tooth, which can result in minor inflammation.

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Sensitivity after a filling is usually minor, but it can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, if your tooth is very sensitive and it does not seem to be getting better, it could be due to a couple of other complications:

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• Improper fit with your other teeth – If your filling is too high and does not fit in properly with your other teeth, it will undergo more pressure when you bite and chew. This can cause lots of sensitivity and tenderness. If this is the case, you can contact your dentist to have the filling adjusted.
• Untreated decay or infection – If your dentist does not fully remove the decayed material from your tooth when preparing and placing your filling, the decay may persist and could even worsen over time. 

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If your tooth is very sensitive or continues to cause you discomfort after several weeks, it’s worth scheduling a follow-up with your dentist to rule out these complications and seek any appropriate treatment, if necessary.

Contact Max Dental Studio For Expert Care In Durham, NC

Whether you’re looking to get a filling in Durham or anywhere else in the Research Triangle, Dr. Mauro Nunes and the team at Max Dental Studio are here to help. We offer expert care for cavities, and we always use the latest materials and techniques to ensure the best outcome and keep your tooth in great shape for years to come. Give us a call at (919) 383-7020 or contact us online to book your visit, restore your tooth, and smile proudly once again.

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