Getting a filling is meant to ensure you have healthy teeth. The filling reduces the discomfort brought about by wear and tear in your teeth. However, in the immediate aftermath you can experience some discomfort. This can last for some time after the procedure. While the dentist may provide some medication that can help numb some of the pain, there is still some level of discomfort. This means that eating or even drinking can be uncomfortable during the recovery period. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to lessen the discomfort.
Chew On the Correct Side
If the filling is done on one side, you are likely to be anesthetized on that side. This means you will be numb for a while. It is advisable that you do not chew using this side. Since the anesthesia may affect parts of the cheek, tongue and lip nearby, chewing on this side might cause you to bite them without knowing. When dealing with children, it is important to keep an eye out for them. They might find the numb feeling strange and start chewing on the side of their cheeks and tongue. This can result in serious damage.
Exert Minimal Pressure When Chewing
Taking a bite often means exerting pressure using your teeth. The dentist should advise you to only use minimal pressure to bite after a filling. This helps to prevent soreness and causing damage to your teeth and the filling.
Eat the Right Foods
While it is almost impossible to eat without chewing, there are some foods you should just lay off till you have properly healed. You should not eat sticky foods or those that are hard to chew. The sticky foods can get on the filling and even pull it out if you are not careful, especially if the filling has not yet hardened. The hard foods can also cause the filling to come off. This would necessitate another visit to the dentist.
Consider Tooth Sensitivity
When you are chewing, you should keep your mouth closed. This helps to prevent cold air from coming into your mouth. The dental procedure may increase tooth sensitivity, which means any cold breeze might cause discomfort. You should also avoid hot or cold foods and drinks. Other foods to avoid chewing due to the sensitivity include sugary foods, which might also accelerate the rate of bacterial growth near the filling. You are likely to get all this advice and more services if you visit a good dentist in Australia.
Share29 October 2015
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.
