What to Do After a Filling: NHS Patient Aftercare
Numbness, eating, normal sensitivity and when to contact your dentist after a filling.
Checked by our editors. A dentist review of this article is planned but has not happened yet.
Wondering what to do after a filling NHS dentists have placed? Official and clinical guidance boils down to taking care while your mouth is numb, avoiding hard or sticky food at first, expecting mild sensitivity for a few days, and contacting your dentist if pain lasts more than a week or the filling breaks.
Fillings are one of the most common NHS treatments, and most people are back to normal the same day. Still, the first few hours and days come with a few questions: when can I eat, is this sensitivity normal, and what if my bite feels odd? Here is a practical guide, with a note on what NHS charges cover if you need to go back.
What should you do in the first few hours?
If you had a local anaesthetic, your lip, cheek or tongue may stay numb for a while. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust warns that while your mouth is numb you could easily bite or burn yourself. Colgate notes you may feel some tingling as the anaesthetic wears off.
- Take care eating and drinking until the numbness has gone.
- Be careful with hot drinks until you can feel your mouth properly.
- Try not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue while they are numb.
What can you eat after a filling?
Colgate advises taking it easy and avoiding hard or sticky foods soon after treatment. Colgate adds that some tenderness is normal in the first few days, so go gently with chewing while the tooth settles.
Is sensitivity after a filling normal?
Yes, some sensitivity is common. Cleveland Clinic says mild sensitivity and gum soreness are normal and should go away within a week or two. Colgate says sensitivity should usually fade after a few days.
| What you notice | Is it expected? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild twinges with hot or cold for a few days | Common | Give it time; a sensitive toothpaste may help |
| Tender gum around the tooth | Common | Keep brushing gently; it should settle |
| Discomfort lasting more than a week | Worth checking | Contact your dentist (Colgate) |
| Bite feels high or uneven | Can happen | Your dentist can adjust the filling (Colgate) |
| Intense pain that lingers after hot or cold | Not expected | Contact your dentist; Cleveland Clinic says this may signal nerve irritation |
| Filling breaks or falls out | Not expected | Call your dentist (Cleveland Clinic) |
Guy’s and St Thomas’ notes that desensitising toothpaste can sometimes help when teeth feel tender or sensitive after dental treatment.
When should you contact your dentist urgently?
Cleveland Clinic advises calling your dentist for severe pain that doesn’t respond to medication, a swollen face or jaw, or signs of infection such as fever or chills. The NHS says to see a dentist for toothache lasting more than 2 days that doesn’t settle with painkillers, and to go to A&E if swelling around the eye or neck makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. If you can’t reach your dentist, NHS 111 can advise.
Do I pay again on the NHS if I need to go back?
Fillings are a Band 2 treatment, currently £76.60 in England. The NHS explains that the band charge covers the whole course of treatment, and treatments within the same band are charged once. If you have questions about a follow-up adjustment, ask the practice how it will be charged before the appointment. The NHS also says white fillings are available on the NHS when clinically necessary, and that for a back tooth an amalgam filling may be the more effective choice.
How can you make your filling last?
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.
- Cut down on sugary food and drinks, which the NHS links to tooth decay.
- Avoid using the filled tooth to bite very hard objects.
- Keep up regular check-ups so your dentist can spot wear early.
To understand what you’ll pay for different treatments, read NHS dental bands explained, and if a tooth keeps causing trouble, root canal cost in the UK covers the next step some teeth need.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, Dental Fillings
- Colgate, Cavity Fillings: Do They Hurt?
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Dental surgery and recovery
- NHS, What is included in each NHS dental band charge?
- NHS, Toothache
- NHS, Tooth decay
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist.
