How much can not be eaten after tooth filling?

Almost every one of us has a filling in at least one tooth. Dentists install them so that the tooth itself does not collapse - if there is a hole in it, pieces of food begin to accumulate in it, provoking the processes of decay - naturally, the tooth will gradually collapse. In this article, we will consider during which time you can’t eat after the dentist has filled the tooth so that the filling serves for many years and does not change its color.

When can I eat?

This question worries all patients after the procedure. As a rule, the dentist gives instructions on this issue - however, it is worth noting that in each case the time may vary, since it all depends on what material is being filled. In modern dentistry, high-quality, innovative materials are used, thanks to which you can significantly reduce the time during which you need to limit yourself in eating and drinking.

It is necessary to consider not only the materials that make up the filling, but also the type of anesthesia that was used during the procedure. Due to the fact that under anesthesia the tongue and lips are completely numb (usually), you can not eat until the analgesic effect has completely passed.

To this day, many believe that you can’t eat after filling for two hours. This was earlier, and this statement can be justified if we take into account such factors:

1. After the procedure, a chemical reaction occurs, due to which the seal must harden, it lasts about two hours, so you can’t eat this amount of time.
2. A filling can become colored - coloring substances that are contained in food can act on it.

Sometimes a patient needs a temporary filling. The dentist will inform the patient about whether it is possible to take food immediately, or whether it is necessary to wait for the materials to freeze.

Today, modern materials for fillings are used - they contain epoxy resin. This material is quite hard, it quickly becomes hard. Seals created from photopolymer harden almost immediately after the procedure. This factor is due to the fact that the dentist uses UV lamps. After installing such fillings, you can eat right away.

It is interesting! Temporary fillings are made from a special composite, which is based on liquid and powder. The specialist mixes these ingredients until a viscous, dense, but at the same time elastic consistency is obtained. Depending on what the mass is made of, the speed of its solidification depends.

Hardening of materials - what factors depend on time?

Here it is worth noting an important factor - to the touch it seems as if the composition was seized, that is, outwardly the seal is strong, it seems solid. But in fact, the inner part of the seal has not yet froze to the end - that is why for its full hardening it is necessary to wait at least 2 hours. In this case, the seal will not change its shape, and will last at least 5 years (if it was installed correctly, by an experienced specialist).

Another important factor is that if you wait for the right time, the filling will not absorb natural dyes, and this is of great importance if it was placed on the front teeth, otherwise the color-changing design will spoil the whole aesthetic appearance.

Why can’t you eat right away?

If, immediately after the procedure, the patient begins to chew food actively, or to bite solid foods, then the integrity of the filling may be substantially impaired, and, of course, as a result of such mechanical action, the filling loses all its properties. As a result of such a negligent attitude, it will collapse faster - in view of the fact that it will not fulfill its basic functions. Due to the deformation of the composite, the material from which the seal is created settles over time, which leads to unpleasant sensations when chewing, in some cases even the jaw in the patient may not close properly.

Interesting! Literally 20 years ago, fillings were made from substandard materials - for example, even after one sip of the liquid containing acid, they could dissolve.

Some dentists may install metal fillings. They are based on silver, copper or gold. Here in this case, you need to know that such fillings harden for a very long time, in addition, they are harmful to the body due to the fact that they contain mercury in their composition. The most important rule after installation is to refrain from products that can provoke oxidation of materials. The same applies to snacks - the material hardens for a long time, even a slight effect can damage the seal, which will cause its deformation.

Fillings that are made of plastic are very popular. They have a low cost - perhaps this is the main reason why patients decide to use this particular material. However, not every patient knows that in most cases pulpitis occurs under plastic products (it gives an extremely painful sensation), caries destroys a tooth, and stomatitis is an unpleasant sore, which is very difficult to cure. Another point - many patients have allergic reactions. Under a plastic composite, a native tooth can quickly decay. Naturally, all these phenomena are extremely undesirable, therefore, you do not need to agree to plastic fillings.

When can I eat?

Experts have established what time can be eaten after installing the seal. At present, dentists install light or photopolymer fillings. How does this happen? During treatment, the doctor spreads the cementitious composition in layers, each of them must be highlighted with a special UV lamp. Due to this technology, the material is literally tightly soldered to the dental tissue.

It would seem that a solution has been found! You can eat immediately, leaving the dentist's office. But not everything is so simple - in this situation we are not talking about the speed of hardening of the material, but about the anesthesia that the doctor uses during the procedure (by the way, painkillers should not always be used, but only in case of pulpitis and other diseases that can provoke pain Feel).

Basically, Ultracain is used as an anesthetic. Its duration is about 2-3 hours. During this time, the patient does not feel his tongue and lips at all - this is necessary so that when the doctor manipulates the person feels comfortable and does not feel pain. Therefore, it is undesirable to eat food during this period of time - due to the fact that you will not feel your lips, teeth, tongue, you can accidentally bite them - unnecessary injuries.

The best option is to ask the dentist in advance what materials he plans to install the seal from, as well as how long it takes to wait for it to last as long as possible.

Video: why tooth aches after filling