Your tooth has been repaired with a filling. Most people go straight back to normal once the numbness wears off.
Eating
- Avoid chewing, hot drinks and biting your cheek, lip or tongue until the numbness wears off, usually within 2–5 hours. Watch children closely.
- Tooth-coloured (composite) fillings are set at the visit. Silver (amalgam) fillings gain strength over the first day, so chew on the other side for 24 hours if you have one.
Sensitivity
- Mild sensitivity to cold, sweet or biting can last a few days to a few weeks, especially for deeper fillings. It should fade gradually.
- A toothpaste for sensitive teeth may help.
Your bite
- If the filling feels high or your teeth do not close normally once numbness is gone, call us. A small adjustment fixes this and prevents soreness.
Cleaning
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to help prevent new decay.
Call our office right away if
- Your bite feels uneven after the numbness wears off
- Sharp pain when biting, or throbbing pain that does not go away
- Sensitivity that gets worse instead of better
- A rough edge, chip or the filling falls out
This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.