Most of us are at least a little afraid of going to the dentist.
Sitting in that big chair under a bright light, waiting nervously as the dentist pokes and prods your teeth and gums. And let’s not even talk about the dentist’s tools. The mouth mirror, the dental probe, the scaler. I can practically taste the surgical steel in my mouth right now!
As adults, most of us have had to overcome dentophobia.
While you might not relish the idea of a trip to the dentist, you go because you know that oral health is important and at least you can look forward to unwinding with a cocktail afterward… but is consuming alcohol after a dental procedure like a dental filling a good idea?
Will drinking alcohol interfere with the healing process?
Is it OK to Drink Alcohol After Getting Dental Fillings?
Let’s tackle the big question posed at the beginning of this article… Can you drink alcohol after getting a filling?
Dental fillings won’t prevent you from enjoying a cocktail but if your dentist administers an anesthetic or prescribes pain medication, consuming alcohol isn’t recommended. Combining alcoholic beverages with anesthesia or pain medication can amplify their effects and can be very dangerous.
Any medication your dentist prescribes should provide adequate pain control and drinking alcohol just isn’t going to help.
How Long Should I Avoid Drinking Alcohol After Getting a Cavity Filled?
If consuming alcohol after a cavity filling isn’t recommended, how long should you wait before you drink alcohol?
It depends on the type of dental filling.
Metal dental fillings take about 24 hours to harden completely. To be safe, you should wait at least a few hours before eating solid foods. Even then, you’ll want to chew your food carefully and avoid anything hard or sticky.
A white dental filling, also called dental composite, is a tooth colored resin that bond with the tooth’s surface and hardens right away. To be safe, you should probably still wait 2 – 3 hours before eating or drinking alcohol.
Keep in mind that any type of dental filling can cause sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages so you might not be eager to eat or drink for the first little while.
Final Thoughts on Oral Health, Dental Fillings, and Drinking Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages may help you relax in the short term but you shouldn’t do anything to impair the body’s natural healing process.
Don’t consume alcohol until the following day especially if you were given an anesthetic or pain medication while getting a dental filling.
Look after your oral health. The cocktails can wait!
