A Few Post-Filling Questions

[JazzyJ]

I had my first filling with a needle wasn't completely painless, but wasn't horrific either, so I'm pretty happy. Anyway, it was an upper-back tooth, so I can't really see it, but think it's a grey-ish colour, so probably the metal(?) one. I read that these take longer to harden. I've been accidentally touching it with my tongue and etc., is this bad? Can I eat on that side of my mouth or do I have to wait a certain amount of time?

Also, when I open my mouth very wide, that tooth hurts a bit. It's only when I open my mouth really wide, for example to yawn, so chewing and etc. feels fine. Is this normal after a filling?

Oh, and can I brush that tooth as normally or do I have to be careful or anything?

 

[carole]

The last filling I had I was told to be careful for 24 hours but I was told I could brush it as normal at night. Your jaw may ache from keeping your mouth open while the filling was being done.

 

[kitkat]

If it is not tooth colored then it is the silver amalgam kind vs the white composite. It should be alright to touch it with your tongue. They shine a light on it after they place the filing to cure the material so it hardens faster and sets before you leave. You can experience some sensitivity for up to two weeks and you may feel a little sore where you received the injection which may be the soreness you feel when opening wide because the area may be stretched when you do that and irritating the tissue. As carole said, I'd be careful for 24 hrs before chewing anything hard or sticky. You can brush and floss normally. Fillings are quite durable.