 So, you were just in our office for a dental cleaning, but you just realized you are ravenous. You did not eat before coming in, and now your stomach has your full attention.
So, just how long should you wait to eat since you just had your teeth cleaned? The answer depends on what procedures you all had done. Each procedure has a bit of a window that you should follow. Here are the general rules we tend to go by.
How Long You Should Be Waiting After Dental Procedures
If all you had done was a cleaning, then you can eat or drink right away. Ideally, it is best to wait about 30 minutes to give your mouth a chance to adjust after the cleaning. You should also avoid anything that is even slightly acidic. Other than that, you can do what you need to so you do not feel so hungry.
If you had a fluoride treatment while here, it is important that you wait 30 to 60 minutes. The longer you wait, the more that fluoride will have the chance to soak in. However, it is as deep as it is going to go once you hit the 60 minute mark. Even so, it is best to make sure to drink and eat foods that are not going to promote cavity growth when you do go back to eating and drinking.
If you had a larger procedure, then go with the time we told you before leaving the office. This is especially true if you had any type of anesthesia. If you try and eat or drink too soon, you could hurt your mouth, bite your tongue, or other similar problems. For more information, call us back. We are always here to help.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (503) 256-3737 today.
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