When you have a painful cavity or a cracked, broken, or worn down tooth, your dentist would repair or treat it using a permanent filling. However, there are times when your dentist may recommend using a temporary tooth filling instead. This usually happens when you just had a root canal, you’re waiting for a special filling to be made, or when your dentist wants to evaluate your teeth further.
Temporary fillings are not as durable as permanent ones. They’re made of softer materials that are easier to remove. Because of this, you have to make sure that you take care of your filling, so it remains in your tooth until your next visit to your dentist. To help you out, here are some tips for taking care of your temporary filling:
- Be Careful of What You Eat
Generally, you should avoid hard and crunchy foods when you have a temporary filling. These include nuts, chewing gum, and candy. They can cause the material to break or fall out. Most dentists would recommend eating soft foods instead, like soup and mashed potatoes. - Chew Carefully
Aside from being mindful of what you eat, you should also be careful when chewing. As much as possible, you should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that contains the temporary filling. In case you really need to chew, then you may do so gently. - Brush and Floss Gently
It’s okay to brush the filled tooth the same way you do with your natural teeth. You just need to be extra careful as you could accidentally dislodge the filling. Dentists usually recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Flossing can be difficult and tricky, especially if the filling reaches the edge of your tooth. Some dentists may not even recommend flossing the tooth. But if you need to floss, make sure it doesn’t pull out the filling when you’re removing the filament between your teeth.
Get in Touch With Pillar Dental Today!
Although a temporary filling can help in taking care of your tooth until you’re ready to have a permanent one, Pillar Dental may have a better solution for you. If you want to avoid having a temporary tooth filling, our dentists can help you.
With CEREC by Sirona Dental Systems, you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all-ceramic crown, onlay, or veneer! Contact us now!