Fillings are a widespread treatment used by oral health specialists to treat various disorders. Among them are cavities, the fracture of a tooth, and the wear of a tooth due to improper use due to bad habits such as biting the nails, clenching the jaw, grinding the teeth, or using the mouth to open objects, among other actions.
To know if a filling is needed, whose technical name is obturation, it is essential to go to a professional for a consultation and that they perform various methods to make sure if it is necessary to practice this simple procedure on the patient. It is a straightforward treatment, and the majority of the population has undergone a filling at some point in their life. This is why if you have just had one done and you ask yourself, can I smoke after a filling? We advise you to continue reading the following FastlyHealarticle to obtain more information on the subject.
Table of Contents
What exactly is a dental filling?
The main objective of dental filling is to fill the cavity of a tooth after the patient undergoes a cavity extraction or cleaning. In this way, not only is the crack covered but also helps prevent future cavities in the treated tooth; However, this process is only used in those people who have holes in the initial stages since, if the state of the same is more advanced, various methods will be needed that will require a complete restoration at the end.
The filling not only has aesthetic purposes for the patient but also helps to rehabilitate the function of the normal anatomy of the oral cavity since, after it, various abilities such as normal chewing are recovered.
It is a speedy and straightforward procedure that requires only local anesthesia, so the recovery is also hasty and does not involve discomfort or pain, differing wildly from a dental extraction; however, particular care and precautions must be taken into account after filling.
Can you smoke after a filling?
Because it is a procedure in the oral cavity, some care must be followed, and it is common for many people who have the habit of smoking to think that they will not be able to do it for a long time or that it is contraindicated in the treatment of the filling. However, it is fully permitted and can be resumed as usual. Still, it is necessary to wait for a minimum for the area with anesthesia to regain sensitivity. However, it is most recommended that the patient avoid smoking for at least the first 3 hours after the temporary filling or not.
Although smoking does not alter the effectiveness of the dental filling and, therefore, can be done after the procedure, the effect of this habit on the health of the teeth and gums is well known. Mainly it reduces the secretion of saliva and thus favors the increase in the population of bacteria that can lead to infections or produce cavities; it also alters the body’s response to inflammation and prevents adequate absorption of calcium in the bones, which is reflected in weaker teeth, which is why it is common for smokers to require filling in several teeth.
For this reason, it is essential that to ensure proper dental health, the number of times smoked is avoided or reduced, and when undergoing any procedure, especially dental treatments, the specialist is consulted, taking into account the condition of each person at the time you must wait before you can smoke again.
In summary, we could say that despite being generally harmful to the teeth, you can smoke after a temporary or permanent filling, when 3 hours have passed after the procedure.
Care about dental filling
Many of the treatments performed in the oral cavity require specific aftercare to prevent the procedure from becoming obsolete; among them is the temporary filling. Although it is not a significant process, it requires particular care, mainly during the first hours after undergoing it.
It can be eaten after a filling.
Among the main factors is not to eat or drink until the mouth recovers its sensitivity; that is when the effect of anesthesia passes. It is also essential that you do not chew gum or drink alcohol. Therefore, you cannot eat after a filling until the anesthesia has worn off after a few hours.
Brushing your teeth after a filling
At the same time, it is recommended that the person with the filled toothbrush their teeth daily avoid chewing challenging elements and, if they do, chew carefully. Foods and beverages containing sugar and acidic foods must be reduced or eliminated while maintaining good oral hygiene.
Many specialists advise using mouthwash the three times you should brush your teeth every day and use dental floss. In this way, the person can considerably reduce the chances of some cavities and, consequently, the need for a dental filling. Brushing just after the filling should be gentler in that area; however, 24 hours after the filling, you can brush your teeth normally.
Go to the doctor
Another essential factor that should be incorporated is regular visits to the dentist. It is recommended to visit the specialist two times a year when the mouth is in good condition and, if not, undergo the indicated treatments, making the necessary visits until it is finished.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can, I smoke after a filling? We recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.