Tips for Eating After You Have Dental Work Done

Are you planning to have dental work done in the near future, such as a root canal, tooth extraction, or filling a cavity? If so, you may be wondering about eating after visiting the dentist. Here are some tips that will help you out.

Wait for the Anesthesia to Wear Off

It is always a good idea to wait until the anesthesia has worn off until you start eating. When your mouth is numb, it's incredibly easy to accidentally bite your tongue or another part of your mouth, because you cannot feel what you are biting on. This is especially true if you have work done on your lower jaw, since you will not be able to feel how hard you are chewing for a short amount of time after the procedure is finished. 

Know That Most Cavities And Sealants Are Ready To Eat with Immediately 

Once that anesthesia wears off, know that you can eat immediately if you had a resin filling to sealants placed on your teeth. That is because the material actually cures as soon as it is exposed to the special light in the dental office. There is no need to wait any additional amount of time to eat when you have this type of procedure performed. 

However, metal fillings are a bit different and can require more time. Consider avoiding that tooth in particular when eating for about a day to ensure that the filling has time to fully bond with the tooth.

Avoid Eating Sticky Foods with a Crown

While you can eat with a dental crown right after having it placed on your tooth, know that you should avoid eating sticky foods. These foods can form a strong bond with the crown and the tooth above it, and when you open your mouth it will put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the crown itself. This can cause the crown to become detached from the tooth and require a trip back to the dentist to reattach it. 

Avoid Straws After Tooth Extractions

If you ever have a tooth extracted, know that you should avoid straws for a few days after the procedure is finished. This is because a blood clot needs to form in the socket for your gums to heal, and the pressure that forms in your mouth from using a straw can cause the blood clot to become dislodged. That's why it is best to avoid using a straw and anything else that involves a sucking motion. 


Share