You can usually eat the same day after a filling, but the safe wait time depends mainly on the type of filling and whether your mouth is still numb.

How long until you can eat after a filling?

Quick Scoop

  • Composite (white) fillings : These are hardened with a special light and are essentially set right away.
* Common advice:
  * Avoid chewing while you are still numb (usually 1–3 hours after the appointment).

  * Once the numbness wears off, start with soft foods and chew on the opposite side for the first several hours.

  * Most people are back to a normal diet within 24 hours, as long as there is no pain or strong sensitivity.
  • Amalgam (silver) fillings : These take longer to fully harden.
    • You are often told to avoid chewing on the filled side for about 24 hours so the material can reach full strength.
* Soft foods and chewing on the opposite side are recommended during that period.
  • General rule of thumb :
    • Do not eat as soon as you leave the chair if your lips, tongue, or cheek are still numb; you can bite yourself badly without realizing it.
* Many dentists suggest waiting around **2–3 hours** before eating anything substantial, especially if you are numb or had a deep filling.

What can you safely eat?

  • Best early choices (once numbness fades):
    • Yogurt, smoothies (not icy cold), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, soft bread, soups that are warm (not very hot).
  • Foods to avoid for the first 24 hours (and sometimes up to a week if sensitive):
    • Very hard foods (nuts, hard candy, crusty bread).
* Sticky or chewy foods (caramels, chewing gum, gummy candy).

* Very hot or very cold drinks/foods if the tooth feels sensitive.

Why waiting matters

  • Avoids biting your tongue, cheek, or lip while still numb.
  • Reduces the chance of cracking or dislodging a fresh filling, especially amalgam.
  • Gives your bite and nerve time to settle, which can lower post-filling sensitivity.

When to call your dentist

Contact your dentist if any of these happen after you start eating again:

  • Pain that gets worse over several days instead of getting better.
  • You cannot bite down without sharp pain on the filled tooth (bite may be too high and need adjustment).
  • Visible crack, chip, or piece of filling missing, or food getting stuck in the filled area.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.