Dear Patient,
You’ve just had one or more dental fillings completed today. Proper care after treatment is important for comfort and long-term success. Please follow the instructions below:
💉 If You Received Anesthesia
- Numbness may last 1–3 hours.
- Avoid chewing or drinking hot liquids until the numbness wears off to prevent accidentally biting your cheek, tongue, or lip.
🍽️ Eating & Drinking
- Composite (tooth-colored) fillings: Set immediately; you may eat once numbness is gone.
- Start with soft foods if your mouth feels sensitive.
😬 Sensitivity or Discomfort
- It’s normal to feel sensitivity to cold, hot, pressure, or sweet foods for a few days to a few weeks.
- Gums around the filled area may be slightly sore.
- Mild discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
⚖️ Bite Check
- Your bite may feel “off” after the numbness wears off. This is common.
- If you continue to feel high spots or discomfort when chewing after 2–3 days, please call us. A simple bite adjustment may be needed.
🦷 Oral Hygiene
- Brush and floss as usual.
- Be gentle around the filled area for the first day if it feels sensitive.
⚠️ When to Call Us
Contact us if you experience:
- Pain that lasts more than a few days or increases over time
- Extreme sensitivity that does not improve
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- The filling feels rough, loose, or falls out