After a filling

The first few hours

• Numbness usually wears off within two to four hours
• Wait until it has gone before eating or having hot drinks, so you don’t bite your cheek, lip or tongue or burn yourself

Eating

Tooth-coloured fillings are set hard with a curing light before you leave, so you can eat normally once the numbness has worn off. Go gently on that side for the first day if the tooth feels tender.

What’s normal

• Some sensitivity to cold, heat or sweet foods for a few days to a few weeks, easing gradually
• Tenderness of the gum or the injection site for a day or two
• A toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help while it settles

Call the practice if

• Your bite feels high or uneven once the numbness has worn off; a quick adjustment fixes it
• Pain is getting worse rather than better, or keeps you awake
• You notice swelling, a sharp edge, or a piece of the filling breaks off
• Sensitivity hasn’t eased after two to three weeks

Long term

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. Fillings can wear or break down at the edges over time, so regular check-ups let us spot problems early.