There is a possibility that you are experiencing mild pain or sensitivity after a recent cavity filling. It’s possible for your teeth to become sensitive or sore after visiting the dentist.
Although the sensations of pain and sensitivity will pass quickly, you can make your life easier while they heal and things return to normal.
Avoid extremes.
Hot and cold temperatures can both irritate sensitive teeth. Avoid extreme temperature foods or drinks.
Take your time.
When eating, be careful to take your time and bite down slowly. Chewing can put pressure on our teeth and cause pain in sensitive areas.
Avoid biting and chewing on food as much as possible. Tooth-to-tooth contact can increase pressure. Also, you can chew on the side of your mouth where there is no cavity.
Sticky foods are out.
After a cavity has been filled, it is best to avoid sticky foods such as caramel and toffee. Fillings can get lost if they are not allowed to set. The likelihood that you will lose it to food depends on what type of filling is received.
Choose delicate foods.
Hard foods, such as nuts, ice and hard candy, can cause pain by putting pressure on your teeth.
Sensitive fillings such as silver fillings take longer to set, and are easily broken by hard foods.
Be polite
While it is polite to keep your mouth shut while chewing, it is even more important after a cavity has been filled. Chewing air can cause a sudden, shooting pain in the jaw by sucking in air.
Skip out on dessert.
Sugar is bad for your teeth. However, it’s especially important to avoid sugary foods once a cavity has been filled. Sugary foods like candy and soda can cause discomfort for already sensitive teeth.
Sugar from these foods can also get trapped under a new filling. This encourages bacterial growth and further decay to recently repaired cavities.
It is normal for some discomfort after a cavity has been filled. However, if your pain persists or becomes unbearable, consult your dentist.
As with all oral issues, it is important to keep your mouth healthy and clean. Brushing twice daily and flossing is an integral part of any oral health program!