If you have suffered a cavity, any decayed or infected portion of the tooth will be taken out. Going in its place will be a dental filling. If you're having one or a couple put in by your dentist, then these care tips are important to remember.
Be Aware of Common Side-Effects
So that you know what to expect after this procedure is all finished, you should familiarize yourself on common side-effects. Typically, you'll feel a little bit of tenderness in your gums. The treated tooth will also feel a little bit of pain. This is particularly true when clenching your teeth. These symptoms are perfectly normal, though.
If you experience something more severe, such as excessive bleeding or severe pain lasting for more than a couple of hours, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Something may have went wrong after the procedure, and your dentist needs to inspect the treated tooth for possible complications.
Clean With a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
The toothbrush you currently use may be fine for regular teeth. However, dental fillings can scratch and potentially damage if brushed too hard. As a result, you may want to get rid of your current toothbrush in exchange for one that has softer bristles.
The soft bristles will thoroughly clean your teeth, but they'll do so gently over your dental fillings. This way, they don't get damaged and then force you to have to pay for an expensive emergency dental visit. Once you have a soft-bristled toothbrush, use it in between meals.
Adjust Your Diet
Once the dental fillings have been properly placed by your dentist, it's paramount to watch what you eat for a couple of weeks. Under no circumstances should you be eating anything hard or sticky. Foods that have these characteristics could jeopardize the placement and structural integrity of your fillings.
Instead, try just incorporating soft foods into your diet until you've had time to properly recover. Smoothies, soup, some fruit, yogurt, and oatmeal are all great items to consume to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your dental fillings. Once you've passed a certain window and the fillings have set, you can resume your normal diet.
Getting dental fillings is pretty standard after cavities are treated. If you're having them put in, make sure you know about their care protocol. When you do, you can save yourself a lot of stressful and expensive headaches. Go to this website for more information about fillings.
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