If you’ve just had a dental filling, you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your oral health and preventing further decay. But treatment doesn’t end once the filling is done — proper aftercare plays a crucial role in ensuring your restored tooth lasts and stays healthy.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect after your procedure, what to avoid, and how to maintain good oral hygiene so your filled tooth remains strong for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Dental fillings repair and protect teeth damaged by decay or minor fractures, helping restore both appearance and function.
- Right after treatment, avoid hard, sticky, and sugary foods to prevent dislodging your new filling. Give it time to set properly.
- Mild sensitivity is normal for a few days. Practise gentle brushing, avoid extremes in temperature, and chew on the opposite side.
- Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are key to keeping your fillings intact and preventing future cavities.
What is Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a restorative treatment used to repair teeth affected by tooth decay or minor fractures.
During the procedure, your dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and replaces it with a filling material, effectively sealing off spaces where bacteria can enter.
This filling comes in different materials, such as:
- Composite fillings: These tooth coloured fillings seamlessly blend with your natural teeth, making them ideal for visible areas.
- Amalgam fillings: Silver in colour, these metal fillings are known for their durability. They are often used for back teeth.
- Ceramic (porcelain) fillings: Commonly used as inlays or onlays for back teeth, they’re durable, stain-resistant, and blend naturally with surrounding enamel. For front teeth, Ceramic veneers or crowns are usually preferred for aesthetic restorations.
- Gold fillings: Extremely durable and long-lasting, gold restorations are typically used for posterior inlays or onlays, where strength and longevity matter most. However, they’re also among the more expensive filling options.
Dental fillings not only restore the decayed portion and prevent further degradation, but they also help maintain the tooth’s structural integrity. In many cases, they can reduce tooth sensitivity while preserving the normal function of the affected tooth.
Each filling material has its advantages. Your dentist will recommend the one that best suits your oral health needs and lifestyle.
Immediate Post-Filling Care
After your cavity filling, it’s normal to experience slight tooth sensitivity or mild discomfort, especially when exposed to cold foods or drinks.
The good news? This usually subsides within a few days.
But post-filling care can easily be undone, especially if the patient is reckless with their teeth. Tooth filling can leak or come off if not properly cared for, requiring yet another visit to the dental office.
So, got a tooth filling? Here’s how you should maintain your restored tooth:
Dietary Recommendations Post-Filling
It takes some time for dental filling to set before they fully harden. Until then, you’d want to watch what you’re eating. Especially if you’re into hard or sticky foods.
If you’ve had composite fillings, the material hardens immediately under the curing light. But it’s still best to be careful and chew gently for good measure.
For the first 24 hours,
- Stick to soft foods like mee sua, yoghurt, or porridge. Avoid hard foods that could stress the new filling material, especially if you’ve had amalgam fillings, which take a bit longer to set.
- Avoid sticky foods like kueh or mochi. These could dislodge or pull out the filling, completely undoing the filling procedure.
- Avoid overly sweet, sugary foods, such as carbonated beverages. These are likely the culprits that led to you needing a filling in the first place. If you do indulge in the irresistible sweetness, be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to help rinse away the corrosive sugar.
- Though we’ve recommended mee sua and porridge, you’d want to avoid anything overly hot or cold. These could trigger sensitivity in the newly-treated tooth.
Manage Your Chewing Habits
Try to chew on the opposite side of your treated tooth during the first day or two.
If your tooth filling hasn’t reached its “optimal hardness,” you wouldn’t want to subject it to intentional chewing forces just yet.
So, best steer clear of hard candy.
Oral Hygiene Practices After a Filling
Immediately after getting a filling, your dentist may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste to help manage post-procedure sensitivity.
If no specific brand was prescribed, you can still choose a desensitizing toothpaste for added comfort and protection.
While brushing the filled tooth is essential, it can be challenging to reach certain areas since cavities often form in teeth at the back (posterior teeth) due to less effective brushing habits.
Use a mirror to ensure you’re cleaning every surface of your teeth, not just the filled one, including the front, back, and chewing (occlusal) surfaces.
Managing Post-Filling Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth after a dental filling procedure are completely normal. This sensitivity should subside as your filling hardens and the cavity completely seals up.
To ease discomfort:
- Avoid cold foods and drinks for a few days
- Practise good oral hygiene without brushing too vigorously
- If possible, get a mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding at night
If persistent pain lasts beyond a week, it’s best to return to your dentist for a quick check-up.
Maintaining the Dental Filling for the Long Term
Once you’ve had your tooth filled in, treat it as a sign to care for your teeth more.
Proper oral health and maintenance ensure your restoration lasts for many years.
Ideally, you shouldn’t have to get another tooth filled in. Here are steps to ensure you keep cavities and decay at bay.
General Oral Care and Hygiene
Gentle brushing keeps the area around your filled tooth clean and prevents further deterioration. But make sure to reach all the way back to your posteriors as well. These are the areas where cavities usually form, often due to poor brushing habits (i.e., brushing only the front teeth).
But don’t be so rigorous with the brushing that you wear the enamel off. This could worsen your sensitivity and deteriorate your teeth further. Use gentle strokes and invest in a soft-bristled brush.
Also, don’t forget to floss.
We cannot overstress the importance of flossing. If you’ve flossed after brushing, you’ll tend to find some debris that hadn’t been brushed off. Debris which could have contributed to the formation of another cavity.
Metal Fillings Last Longer than Composite Fillings
Different filling materials have varying lifespans.
Amalgam, gold, and other metal fillings can last over a decade with proper care. While tooth-coloured composite fillings may need replacement sooner.
For a longer filling lifespan, patients may opt for metal filling options over composite ones.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Routine dental visits, ideally every six months, enable your dentist to detect early signs of wear, cracks, or further decay around your filled tooth.
Regular monitoring helps ensure that your tooth filling stays intact and your oral health remains optimal. It also assesses whether the remaining teeth are healthy or if they require a tooth filling as well.
When to Contact Your Dentist
If you experience persistent pain, ongoing tooth sensitivity, or notice cracks or roughness on your filled tooth, schedule an appointment promptly. Early attention can prevent issues from developing into larger problems.
Here at MySmile Dental Group, we offer routine dental checks to help our patients prevent cavities and tooth decay. We’re also ready to restore decayed teeth to their former, healthy glory, allowing our patients to enjoy life without the nagging tooth sensitivity.
Remember, a dental filling is designed to restore your natural teeth, but maintaining it is a team effort. Between you, your toothbrush, and your dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dental filling last?
It depends on the material and your oral care habits. Amalgam fillings can last 10–15 years or more, while composite (tooth-coloured) fillings usually last 5–10 years. Responsible oral habits help ensure your fillings stay in good shape.
Is it normal to feel pain or sensitivity after a filling?
Yes, mild sensitivity to cold or pressure is common for a few days after the procedure. If the discomfort lasts longer than a week or gets worse, it’s best to visit your dentist. Something may have gone wrong with the filling that requires attention.
Can I brush my teeth after getting a filling?
Absolutely! Just be gentle around the treated area. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid brushing too hard. Gentle strokes and fluoride toothpaste will keep your mouth clean without irritating the filled tooth.
When should I go back to the dentist after getting a filling?
It’s a good idea to have a routine check-up every six months. But if you notice cracks, rough edges, persistent pain, or the filling feels loose, book an appointment right away. Early treatment can save you from more complex procedures later on.
Do fillings need to be replaced eventually?
Yes, over time, fillings can wear down or loosen due to chewing and temperature changes. During regular visits, your dentist will check your fillings and recommend replacements only when necessary.
