Dental Filling Pre-Operative Instructions

What You Should Do Before Your Dental Filling Appointment

Getting ready for a dental filling? At Atlas Dental, we’re here to make your experience as smooth as possible. A dental filling is used to repair teeth affected by decay, chips, cracks, or trauma. Follow these simple pre-visit instructions to ensure a comfortable and successful procedure.

1. Food & Drink

• Eat Normally: Have your usual meals on the day of your dental filling, unless you’re scheduled to take sedation medication (see Sedation section below).
• Avoid the Affected Tooth: Try to avoid chewing on the tooth that will be treated, as this can reduce discomfort.

2. Medications

• Stick to Your Routine: Continue taking any prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider, unless instructed otherwise by your dentist.
• Inform Your Dentist of Changes: If there have been any changes to your medication or health status, be sure to inform your dentist before your appointment.

3. Pain Control

• Managing Sensitivity: It’s common to experience some tooth sensitivity after a filling. Using a desensitizing toothpaste, like Sensodyne Rapid Relief, can help.
• Over-the-Counter Relief: If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can provide relief. You can take 1000mg of acetaminophen and 600mg of ibuprofen every 4-6 hours (unless you have an allergy or other contraindications). Always check with your dentist before taking medications.

4. Sedation Preparation

• Follow Sedation Guidelines: If you’re scheduled to receive oral sedation, please refer to our Sedation Dentistry Pre-Visit Instructions for more details on how to prepare.

5. Oral Hygiene

• Brush Twice a Day: Keep up your oral hygiene by brushing at least twice daily. Ideally, brush after meals to maintain a clean environment for your upcoming filling.
• Rinse If You Can’t Brush: If brushing isn’t possible, rinse your mouth with water or an antiseptic mouthwash like Crest Pro-Health Densify Anticavity Fluoride Mouth Rinse to remove debris and prevent cavities around your filling.
• Upgrade Your Toothbrush: Consider using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush, such as the Curaprox CS5460 or Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100, to gently and effectively clean around the filling.
• Floss Daily: Flossing is crucial for preventing plaque buildup. If traditional floss is difficult, try using dental flossers or interdental brushes like Sunstar 888JC GUM Advanced Care Flossers or the GUM Proxabrush.
• Use a Water Flosser: A water flosser, like the Waterpik Aquarius, can flush out debris missed by regular flossing. Use it once daily for best results.
• Anticavity Mouthwash: Rinse daily with a fluoride mouthwash to reduce the risk of cavities. Crest Pro-Health Densify Anticavity Fluoride Mouth Rinse is a great choice.
• Fluoride Toothpaste: Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste like Colgate PreviDent 5000 to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay around your fillings.

6. Clothing and Accessories

• Dress Comfortably: Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. Avoid light-colored clothing that could show stains.
• Limit Jewelry & Makeup: It’s best to avoid makeup and remove jewelry, especially piercings in the mouth area.
• Remove Contact Lenses: If you wear contacts, switch to glasses for the day.

7. Review Post-Operative Care Instructions

Before your appointment, review the Dental Filling Post-Operative Instructions to understand how to care for your filling after the procedure. Following these steps will help you recover quickly and avoid complications.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about your upcoming dental filling appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!