dr paul mckay consult for porcelain veneers or dental implants

New Filling: After Care Instructions

It is important that you protect the lasting strength and integrity of your new filling. Proper homecare will help the environment become favourable for the filling to survive. By avoiding certain foods and habits, you will minimise the threat of breaking the filling and decrease any sensitivity.

Daily Care

Daily brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain the health of your teeth and dental work. Use a soft toothbrush with an appropriate fluoride toothpaste. Many types of toothpaste, including all “whitening” toothpastes, are too abrasive and will make your teeth sensitive. We will suggest a toothpaste with a low abrasive index and preferably with fluoride to keep your natural teeth strong.

The use of Dental Floss and adjuncts is important to clean in between your teeth where a toothbrush does not clean. This should be compelted twice daily.

Nutrition & Diet

Your fillings are bonded to your tooth structure and should look and feel like a natural part of your tooth. You will be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods with your new filling. Having said that, there are certain foods and eating habits that are prudent to enjoy in moderation or avoid altogether.

To decrease the risk of chipping or debonding a filling, try to avoid:

  • Using your teeth against hard objects such as to scrape or pull meat off a bone or biting your fingernails
  • Biting into raw carrots or other very hard foods
  • Chewing toffee or other dense, sticky foods

To decrease the risk of staining or dulling your restorations, try to enjoy the following in moderation:

  • Intensely coloured foods and beverages such as berries, tea, coffee, red wine and dark soda or fruit juice
  • Acidic foods and beverages such as citrus fruits, iced teas and sodas
  • Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause severe discoloration of your teeth and should be avoided.
  • Alcoholic beverages will hasten the demise of bonded restorations and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Negative Habits

Many oral habits can damage or dislodge fillings. You should not use your teeth for anything other than chewing food. Avoid such habits as:

  • Chewing pencils, toothpicks or ice cubes
  • Biting your nails
  • Opening bags, containers or bottles with your teeth
  • Cutting fishing line or sewing thread with your teeth

Symptoms & Side Effects

Gum Tenderness
The site of any injeciton of local anaesthetic may be tender for a few days.

Tooth Sensitivity
The tooth which was filled, and adjacent may be sensitive to cold, hot and chewing. Sensitivity generally is to stimulus, and settles within a minute. But it can be ongoing for aperiod of upto 3 months before further treatment is indicated. Sensitivity to cold takes longest to resolve, but generally your teeth will feel normal again within a month. If sensitivity persists for more than 3 months you should discuss this with your Dentist and further treatments may be necessary such as Root Canal Treatment.

Tooth Ache
Toothache is characterised by persistent aching which is apparaent for longer than a minute or 2, generally hours, requires pain relief, and starts spontaneously, not just after eating or drinking. Toothache is generally a deeper issue with the root canal inside the tooth and if you are experiencing toothache you should return to the Dentist for review.

Post-Treatment Appointment

If you have any concerns, questions or would like a complimentary review, please book in an appointment and your Dentist will be happy to assist you.

Any invasive or surgical procedure has risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. No dental treatment is suitable for each and every patient. Dentists will only provide care which is suitable to the individual. Patients of Brisbane Smiles must complete examination and consultation appointments to deem suitability for procedures and full informed consent be given by the patient. Photos shown on this website are actual patients. Photos are for general purposes and individual results will vary.