Eating After a Dental Hygiene Appointment: What to Know

Twice-yearly dental cleanings are one of the most important steps to keeping your smile healthy and strong. Since these visits are fairly quick, they’re easy to fit in during a lunch break or after work/school. 

But, when can you eat after a teeth cleaning?

Here’s everything to know about eating after a dental cleaning.

Woman Smiling and Pointing at Her Clean Teeth

Do I Need to Wait to Eat After a Dental Cleaning?

For a basic teeth cleaning, you do NOT have to wait to eat. You can eat or drink anything you want right away. Some people do report a bit of sensitivity, especially if their cleaning was more extensive due to plaque buildup. Therefore, you may want to choose mild-temperature foods for comfort. 

There’s only one time when you do need to wait to eat after an oral hygiene visit, and that’s when you have fluoride application.

When to Eat After Fluoride Application

Oftentimes, at least one dental cleaning per year includes fluoride application. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, protecting your smile from cavities. If you’ve had fluoride applied, then you must wait at least 30 minutes to eat or drink non-water beverages. This gives the fluoride enough time to permeate the teeth and begin working.

Schedule Your Next Oral Hygiene Appointment

Simply put, you can eat right after your teeth cleaning unless you had fluoride treatment. If the dentist applied fluoride, then you should wait at least 30 minutes to give it time to set in. Some sensitivity after your cleaning is normal, so consider mild foods that aren’t too hot or cold for your first meal. 

When you get a teeth cleaning in Oakville from Dental Works, count on personalized advice for aftercare. Enjoy convenient, quick dental cleanings using the latest dental equipment from our team. 

If you’re due for an oral hygiene visit, don’t wait. Schedule your appointment today. 

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