Every dental procedure requires its own recovery routine. General principles exist, but the details differ. Below are recommendations for the most common situations.
After a filling
Composite filling: cures instantly under the light. You can eat as soon as the anaesthesia wears off (1-3 hours). For the first 24 hours, avoid staining foods (coffee, turmeric, berries).
Post-filling sensitivity is normal and usually resolves within 1-2 weeks. If pain increases or appears when biting, return for a bite adjustment.
After a tooth extraction
First 2 hours
Bite down on the gauze pad. Do not rinse, spit, or drink through a straw. All of these create suction that can dislodge the blood clot.
First 24 hours
No hot food or drinks. No smoking (nicotine constricts blood vessels and slows healing). No exercise. Apply a cold pack externally (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) to reduce swelling.
From day two
Gentle rinses with antiseptic (chlorhexidine 0.2%) if prescribed. Soft food. Normal brushing, but avoid the extraction site.
When to call your dentist
🩸 Bleeding persists for more than 4 hours
🌡 Temperature above 38.5 on day two or later
😣 Pain worsens on day 3-4 (sign of dry socket, Alveolitis sicca)
😮 Numbness lasts more than 24 hours
After professional cleaning (PZR)
Avoid staining foods and drinks for 2 hours after cleaning. Freshly polished enamel absorbs pigments easily. Mild sensitivity for 1-2 days is normal.
After a crown or veneer
Temporary cement: avoid sticky foods and chewing gum. Permanent restoration: you can bite normally right away, but chew on the other side for the first few days. Use superfloss to clean under bridges.