After getting a dental filling, the time you need to wait before eating depends on the type of filling:

• For composite (tooth-colored) fillings, which harden almost immediately under a curing light, you can generally eat as soon as the numbness wears off, usually within 1 to 3 hours. However, waiting at least 1 to 2 hours is recommended to avoid biting your numb cheek or tongue and to allow the filling to set comfortably.
• For amalgam (silver) fillings, it is best to wait at least 24 hours before eating anything hard or chewy on that side of your mouth because these fillings take several hours to fully harden and reach maximum strength.

In any case, when eating after a filling, it is advisable to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods for the first day and start with soft foods to protect the new filling and prevent discomfort.