Can I eat after a filling?
The answer is -it depends. And it depends on the material used by your dentist.
BLACK FILLING (AMALGAM)
Amalgam takes some time to gain a satisfactory hardness. This time ranges from 4-6 hours, while the maximum hardness appears after 24 hours.
So, after a black filling placement, it is advisable for you to avoid chewing on that area for several hours.
WHITE FILLING (RESIN COMPOSITE)
For white fillings, things are easier. You can eat almost immediately after your visit to the dentist.
This is because the way they obtain their maximum hardness is different from the black ones. White fillings are polymerized by means of the lamp with the blue light, you see them being used by your dentist.
So you can eat even immediately after the completion of the procedure.
ATTENTION
If your dentist had used local anesthesia, you should wait for its effects to subside before eating. Otherwise, you might injure yourself and even choke since you don’t have absolute control of your mouth.
Athina Tsiorva