When Is It Safe to Drink Tea After a Filling?
Most people who undergo a dental filling are keen to return to their normal habits and activities, including drinking a soothing cup of tea. But how long after a filling can you drink tea?
When to Wait for Drinking Tea
The length of time that you should wait before consuming hot drinks such as tea depends on the type of filling you have had. For amalgam fillings, it is usually safe to drink hot or cold beverages approximately one hour after your filling has been placed.
For those who have composite fillings, you may need to wait longer before drinking hot beverages. This is because composite fillings need time to set, with curing time usually taking around 48 hours. Therefore, it is best to avoid hot or cold drinks, including tea, for at least 48 hours after composite fillings have been placed.
Tips for Reducing the Risk of Damage
To minimize the risk of damaging your filling and the surrounding teeth, follow these steps:
- Wait for the recommended amount of time – Depending on your type of filling, you may need to wait 48 hours after composite filling and one hour for amalgam filling.
- Drink through a straw – Drinking through a straw can help reduce the risk of damaging your fillings as it prevents the hot liquid from coming into contact with the filling directly.
- Test the temperature of the liquid – Before you take a sip, test the temperature of the liquid with your tongue.
- Moderate the amount of hot tea you consume – Try not to drink excessively hot tea if you have had a recent filling.
Conclusion
Most people can enjoy drinking hot tea after having had a dental filling but should pay attention to the type of filling they have had and wait the appropriate amount of time before drinking. Additionally, drinking through a straw and testing the temperature of the liquid can help reduce the risk of damaging the filling and surrounding teeth.
