Most Canadians have the experience of getting a tooth filled at some point in their lives. It’s a simple, relatively painless dental procedure requiring minimal aftercare, which helps you preserve your best smile. However, there are some foods you should try to avoid immediately after having a filling. You can avoid having to return to our Surrey family dentist by taking steps to protect your teeth. Here’s what you can—and can’t—eat in the days directly following the procedure.
Best Foods to Eat After a Filling
Whether you have traditional amalgam fillings or new, compound tooth-coloured fillings, some foods are better for you than others. Those on your “Ok to Eat” list should include:
- Well-cooked vegetables and soft fruits. Your gum tissues and teeth might be sensitive after a filling, and hard, crunchy items could irritate them or dislodge the new filling from its position. The softer your veggies are cooked the easier they will be to chew, and the less likely to cause pain or damage. If you’re exceptionally sensitive, room-temperature mashed banana or apple sauce will help fill you up without causing any discomfort.
- Smoothies. There’s nothing like a delicious smoothie made with fresh fruit or vegetables blended into milk, ice cream, or yogurt. This will satisfy your sweet tooth and carb cravings while minimizing the stress and discomfort of your new tooth-coloured fillings. Choose this option instead of hard candies, chocolate, or even fresh, crisp fruit.
- Protein shakes. These are the next best thing to healthy smoothies, protein shakes both satisfy your appetite and deliver the daily dose of protein your body needs. If you’ve had several teeth worked on, your mouth is likely to be extra sensitive throughout, and the soft, soothing protein and nutrition you get from these shakes can help speed up the healing process.
- Dairy products. These are usually easy to bite and chew, and have the added benefit of being high in the calcium needed to support oral healing. Cottage cheese, milk, and yoghurt are rich in nutrients and shouldn’t interfere with your new tooth-coloured fillings.
Regardless of what you eat or avoid, following your dentist’s home care instructions is critical to ensure the very best recovery in the shortest possible time.
Items to Avoid
After you have a dental filling, it’s best to avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods such as chips, peanuts, popcorn, and granola, and anything that’s noticeably hot or cold. Until your mouth has fully recovered from the procedure, any of these items can dislodge the new filling, cause a tooth to crack, trigger tooth pain, or result in other complications that might require another visit to your family dentist in Surrey BC.
Dental Care in Canada
Canadians are generally quite diligent about getting the dental care they need. According to the Canadian Dental Association, three-quarters of residents see a dentist at least once each year and 84% report having good or excellent oral health. By getting regular dental exams and addressing cavities as soon as you become aware of them, you can keep your mouth in peak condition.
If you’re scheduled to get a filling, plan ahead so you have the right, filling-friendly foods on hand to help you avoid eating the items you should avoid. This will make recovery from the procedure easier and help ensure you don’t need another dental visit to correct a problem.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss whether tooth-coloured fillings are right for you and your loved ones. We look forward to talking with you about your oral healthcare requirements.