Dear Patient,
Today, you received a dental filling, to help ensure proper healing and comfort after your procedure, please read and follow the instructions below.
1. Numbness and Sensation
- The anesthetic used during your procedure can take 1 to 3 hours to wear off. Avoid chewing, eating hot foods, or drinking hot beverages until full feeling returns to avoid accidental biting or burning of your lips, cheeks, or tongue.
- Children should be supervised closely until the numbness wears off, as they may chew on their numb lips or cheeks without realizing it.
2. Eating After a Filling
- White/tooth-colored (composite) fillings are fully set when you leave the office, but you may still want to wait until the numbness is gone before eating to avoid injury.
- Avoid very hard, crunchy, or sticky foods for the first 24 hours, especially if multiple fillings were done.
3. Sensitivity or Discomfort
- Some sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure is common after a filling, especially in deeper cavities or where the nerve was close to the decay.
- This sensitivity should gradually decrease over several days to weeks and sometimes months. If it worsens or does not improve, please contact our office.
- Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage any soreness unless contraindicated.
4. Your Bite May Feel Different
- If your bite feels “off” or uneven once the numbness wears off, call us. A high filling can cause tooth or jaw discomfort and may need to be adjusted with a quick visit.
- Do not wait too long to have this corrected, as it can lead to more serious problems like jaw pain or cracked teeth.
5. Oral Hygiene
- Resume your normal brushing and flossing routine immediately after the procedure.
- Keeping the area clean will help prevent future decay around the filling.
6. When to Call Us
Please contact our office if you experience any of the following:
- Prolonged pain that lasts more than a few days or gets worse
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity that does not gradually improve
- Cracked or lost filling
- Swelling, fever, or signs of infection
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📞 610-867-7112
🌐 newstreetdentalpa.com Thank you for choosing New Street Dental for your dental care. We’re committed to helping you maintain a healthy and comfortable smile!