PATIENT AFTER CARE ADVICE
How long after a filling can you drink hot drinks?
This depends on the type of filling you have received. After a composite (white) filling, the material is set immediately using a curing light, meaning you can eat and drink straight away. However, if your mouth is still numb, it’s best to avoid hot drinks to reduce the risk of burning or accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. After an amalgam (silver) filling, the material takes longer to fully set, so you should avoid eating or drinking hot beverages for at least 1–2 hours after your appointment.
Composite filling
Before
- Ensure that you have eaten a meal in the hours coming up to the appointment.
- If you are considering whitening in the near future then talk to the dentist about this before the procedure.
After
- The curing light sets the material so eating and drinking is possible after the procedure. Care should be taken when doing so if the mouth is still numb due to the risk of burning or causing damage to the mouth as it has no feeling.
- If after the procedure the restoration feels high, then ring the practice in order to arrange an appointment to make any further adjustments.
Amalgam filling
Before
- Ensure that you have eaten a meal in the hours coming up to the appointment.
After
- Amalgam requires time to set. After the appointment no food or hot drinks should be consumed for 1-2 hour. Care should be taken when doing so if the mouth is still numb due to the risk of burning or causing damage to the mouth as it has no feeling.
Extraction or Implants
Before
- Ensure that you have eaten a meal in the hours coming up to the appointment.
- If the tooth has experienced infection leading up to the appointment then rinsing the mouth with a chlorhexidine based mouthwash or warm salt water is recommended. This should be carried out 3-4 times on the day of the appointment. This is to reduce the risk of spreading the infection around the mouth.
After
- Post operative instructions/care will be given.
Whitening
Before
- Talk to your dentist about any restorations in your mouth and how they will affect the treatment results such as white fillings, crowns, veneers or bridge work.
- Please make sure you have something to eat and drink before this procedure.
After
- If any areas of the mouth are sensitive after the treatment apply Sensitive toothpaste to the area such as sensodyne.
- Avoid any foods such as curry, beetroot or drinks such as red wine, black coffee, tea
- Which are likely to cause staining for 48 hours after the procedure. (Do not smoke)
Crown preparation/bridge preparation
Before
- Ensure that you have eaten a meal in the hours coming up to the appointment.
After
- Depending upon the temporary restoration placed the dentist will advise instructions upon whether food and drink needs to be avoided and if so for how long. Care should be taken when doing so if the mouth is still numb due to the risk of burning or causing damage to the mouth as it has no feeling.
Root canal treatment
Before
- Ensure that you have eaten a meal in the hours coming up to the appointment
After
- Your tooth may be tender for a few days following treatment this can be expected; you can take your regular pain killers such as paracetamol.
- If you have any problems such as facial swelling or throbbing pain contact the surgery immediately.
