Are you experiencing tooth pain after getting a filling? If so, you’re not alone. The ultimate objective of receiving a filling is to rectify tooth decay or cavities and eliminate their associated discomforts.
However, many patients experience some level of discomfort after having a filling placed, and it’s important to know that this is perfectly normal.
In most cases, the pain will go away within a few days. Keep reading to learn more about what causes tooth pain after fillings and how to treat it.
Having a Toothache After Dental Filling
Sensitivity in teeth after dental work is normal and is the body’s way of healing itself. The filled tooth and the area around it might also be sensitive to hot and cold foods or liquids for some time afterwards, as tooth sensitivity is not uncommon in the first few days following the treatment.
This type of toothache can range from mild to severe and can last for up to two weeks post-treatment.
It’s also common to feel pain in the other teeth surrounding the affected one. This is due to a phenomenon called referred pain, which involves feeling pain in an area other than the source of the pain.
Causes of Pain After Filling
Dental fillings commonly involve the drilling of teeth in order to prepare them for the filling material.
This can cause some level of discomfort or even outright pain during and after the process due to reasons such as nerve endings exposure during a root canal treatment, increased pressure on tooth enamel and gums, and bacterial infection.
What to do About The Pain?
Addressing pain after a filling can be particularly challenging, given its subjective nature. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce pain and improve comfort.
- First, medications like ibuprofen can help ease pain after a filling.
- Additionally, avoiding hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours is recommended in order to give the filling time to settle properly.
- If pain persists after a few days, then consulting your dentist is the best course of action, as they may need to make further adjustments to alleviate discomfort.
With these steps taken, pain after a filling can become manageable and ensure you’re able to get back to your regular lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Possible Causes of Tooth Pain After Fillings
Although fillings are a common treatment to relieve tooth pain, there may be other causes of discomfort following the procedure.
however, if the toothache persists even after receiving a filling, you should not ignore it and should discuss any accompanying symptoms with your dentist in order to determine the underlying reason for the pain. A few possible explanations might include:
- Irritation of the nerve
- Excess filling material
- Infection of the tooth around the margins of the filling
- Food debris stuck in between two teeth
Be sure to keep your dentist informed about any ongoing or new signs and symptoms you experience related to your dental care.
How to Care for your Fillings
With the advancement of dental health research, fillings are a simple and efficient treatment to repair structural damage or discolourations to the teeth. When they are properly cared for, they can last for decades without causing further problems.
It’s important to practice good dental hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, as well as regular check-ups with your dentist, in order to get the most life out of this investment.
Contact Dapto Dentists for Quality Fillings
At Dapto Dentists, we are dedicated to giving each patient the highest quality of care with our comfort-centred approach. Our goal is to make sure you leave feeling relaxed and your smile looking its best!
Make an appointment with the highly-skilled professionals at Dapto Dentists and get relief from your discomfort right away! Call us on (02) 4210 9058 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dentin Hypersensitivity: Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment; A Literature Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927677/
What causes sensitive teeth, and how can I treat them?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sensitive-teeth/faq-20057854
Toothache and Swelling
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toothache-and-swelling
Dental Filling
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-fillings
Dealing with sensitive teeth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10752461/
