We removed decay or weakened enamel, disinfected the area, and restored the tooth with a filling to seal out bacteria, restore strength, and stop sensitivity/pain. If your cavity was deep, the nerve may be temporarily irritated while it settles.

• Numbness lasts 2–6 hours. Avoid hot drinks and chewing on the numb side so you don’t bite your lip/cheek/tongue.

• Children: please watch the cheeks/lips until feeling returns.

• Mild tenderness to chewing/pressure, cold or sweet sensitivity, and gum soreness where we placed a matrix or clamp.

• Slight bite awareness that improves over a few days.

• If gums bleed a little when you brush/floss tonight, that’s common—keep them clean and it will settle.

Pain control (only use what your provider approved)

• If you can take NSAIDs:Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours as needed (with food). Max 2,400 mg/day.

• You may combine or alternate with Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed. Max 3,000 mg/day total acetaminophen.

• If you cannot take NSAIDs: use Acetaminophen alone (same limits).

• Rinses: After 24 hours, use warm salt-water (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4×/day.

Eating:

• Composite (tooth-colored): Set when you leave. Once numbness fades, you can chew normally. Avoid very sticky or extra-hard foods for 24 hours while tissues settle.

• Amalgam (silver): Reaches full strength in about 24 hours. Chew on the other side today; avoid hard/sticky foods on the treated tooth until tomorrow.

• Temporary filling (IRM/Cavit/GI): Short-term material. Avoid sticky/hard foods on that tooth. It can wear or wash out—keep your follow-up for the final restoration.

Oral Hygiene

• Brush tonight with a soft brush; floss daily. For tight contacts, guide floss gently; if it snags or shreds repeatedly, let us know.

• A desensitizing toothpaste (potassium nitrate) 2×/day for 2–4 weeks helps cold sensitivity.

• Limit frequent sipping of sugary/acidic drinks—decay at the filling edge is the #1 reason fillings fail.

• Deep decay can leave the nerve inflamed even with a perfect filling. Lingering hot/cold pain (>10–15 seconds), spontaneous throbbing, night pain, or pain that worsens after day 3 may indicate the nerve needs further care (sometimes a root canal) to save the tooth.

• Pain on bite or on release can suggest a high spot or a crack—call promptly.

• Bite feels “high”: If the tooth hits first or is sore to tapping/chewing, call for a 10-minute adjustment. Leaving it high can bruise the ligament and prolong sensitivity.

• Food traps / floss won’t pass: You may need a contact adjustment or polish—call us.

• Rough/sharp edge: We’ll smooth it quickly.

• Filling came out or chipped: Keep any pieces, avoid chewing on that tooth, and call us. You may use OTC temporary filling material as a short bridge until we see you—never superglue.

• Swelling, fever ≥100.4°F (38°C), foul taste/drainage

• Severe pain not controlled with recommended meds

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing → Call 911 / go to the ER

▶ When can I eat?

Once numbness wears off. The resin is fully set when you leave, but avoid very sticky or extra-hard foods for 24 hours while tissues settle.

▶ Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?

The nerve and ligament were irritated by decay removal and drying. Cold/sweet/air sensitivity is common for 3–7 days (sometimes up to 2 weeks). Use a desensitizing toothpaste twice daily and warm salt-water rinses. Call us if pain lingers >10–15 seconds, wakes you at night, or worsens after day 3.

▶ My bite feels “high.” What should I do?

Call us for a quick 10-minute adjustment. A high spot can bruise the ligament and prolong sensitivity.

▶ Can I brush and floss tonight?

Yes. Brush gently. Floss normally—guide it carefully through new contacts. If floss shreds or snags repeatedly, we’ll polish/adjust.

▶ How long do resin fillings last?

With great hygiene and a good bite, many last 5–10+ years. Failures usually happen from new decay at the margin—brush, floss, and limit frequent sipping of sugary/acidic drinks.

▶ Will the filling match my tooth color?

Yes—we choose a shade to blend with your tooth. Teeth can look temporarily lighter right after treatment (dehydration); they re-hydrate in 24–48 hours and the match improves. We can polish or adjust esthetics later if needed.

▶ Can I whiten my teeth after getting a resin filling?

Whitening doesn’t change the color of resin—only natural enamel lightens. If you plan to whiten, do it before shade selection. After whitening, we can replace/polish the filling to match.

▶ Will the filling stain?

Resin can pick up stain from coffee, tea, red wine, curry, tobacco. Regular cleanings and occasional polish help. If deep stain persists, we can refinish or replace.

▶ What if a piece chips or the whole filling comes out?

Save any pieces, avoid chewing on that tooth, and call us. You may use OTC temporary filling material briefly—never superglue.

▶ Food keeps getting stuck / I feel a ledge.

That can indicate a rough edge, open contact, or bonding “flash.” Easy fix—call for a quick polish or adjustment.

▶ My gums are tender or bleed a little—normal?

Yes, especially if a matrix/band or clamp was used. Rinse with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4×/day for a day or two.

▶ Do resin fillings contain metal or mercury?

No—tooth-colored composites are metal-free and mercury-free.

▶ Is a water flosser okay?

Yes—great for the gumline. If gums are tender, wait 24–48 hours before using it.

▶ I clench or grind—does that matter?

Yes. Heavy bite forces can chip or wear fillings. A custom nightguard protects your new restoration and natural teeth.

▶ Do kids need anything special after fillings?

Watch their cheeks, lips, and tongue until numbness wears off so they don’t bite themselves.

▶ Will my filling show on X-rays?

Most modern composites are radiopaque, so we can monitor the margins and check for new decay at routine visits.

We’re here for you. If you’re unsure about anything—call us. If you ever experience trouble breathing, rapidly spreading swelling, or difficulty swallowing, call 911 or go to the ER.

How to reach us

Prime Emergency Dental

(425) 864-7600