Skip to Main Content
  • Soothing studios
  • Dental done differently
  • No judgment ever
  • Outcomes, not quotas
  • Decades of experience
  • Science-based care
  • Top-rated clinical team
  • Full-service dentistry
(212) 686-3686

Caring for Your Temporary Filling at Home

Congrats on your temporary filling! Here’s how to keep it in good shape and make sure everything stays secure until your next appointment.

In this article:

By Tend

Posted Mar 27th, 2026 in Post-Care Instructions

Don't eat anything hard

Your temporary filling is delicate, so biting into a hard food could break it. Avoid hard foods like granola, raw vegetables, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and pieces of ice.

Don't eat anything sticky, chewy, or gummy

Your temporary filling isn't permanently attached to your tooth, so anything that clings to it could pull it off. Avoid sticky foods like taffy or caramel, chewy foods like bagels and steak, and gummy foods like gummy candy and chewing gum.

Be careful when flossing

To floss around your temporary filling, you'll need to tweak your technique slightly. After you've slid the strand of floss along your gum line, don't snap it out like usual. This could pop the temporary filling off. Instead, gently pull the floss out between your teeth, like you'd pull a piece of string through the eye of a needle.

What to do if your temporary filling is loose or tooth becomes sensitive

If your temporary filling comes loose for any reason, let us know. Sometimes temporary fillings can cause a little sensitivity. This usually lasts for a couple of days, then goes away. If an over-the-counter pain reliever doesn't do it for you, or if you're still uncomfortable after 48 hours, just get in touch.

Questions?

Reach out any time via email or by calling (212) 686-3686.