Have you visited the dentist who treated the caries and filled the cavity, but you still feel discomfort?
Why does a tooth hurt after a filling, and in which cases should I see a doctor again?
Dental fillings are a very common procedure that dentists use to protect teeth from further decay. Over time, the accumulation of bacteria on the teeth can turn into harmful plaque that can cause tooth decay. It is caries that causes a hole in a tooth.
Dental fillings plug these holes and prevent further tooth decay.
Before installing the filling, the dentist anesthetizes the area around the affected tooth. After administering the painkiller, the doctor cleans the caries-damaged area of the tooth, usually with the help of a drill, and then seals it.
Any excess filling material is ground away so that the tooth is smooth and indistinguishable from the others.
In some cases, the dentist may first place a temporary filling, which will later be removed and replaced with a permanent one.
As a rule, a sealed tooth should not hurt. However, there are exceptions. Everything depends both on the professionalism of the doctor who placed the filling, and on the characteristics of the patient’s body.
People who have sensitive teeth, suffer from gingivitis or periodontitis, have an untreated tooth infection or a crowding problem can more often experience pain and discomfort after a filling.
However, sometimes a sealed tooth can hurt even in patients who do not have the above problems.
It is normal to feel some discomfort and even moderate pain after filling a carious cavity, especially if the caries was deep and close to the root of the tooth. The tooth may hurt when pressed or when a hard piece of food falls on it.
Pain and discomfort usually subside after a few days. To reduce unpleasant sensations during this period, you can take a pain reliever.
What causes tooth sensitivity after a filling?
After filling, the tooth may also become more sensitive. Temporary discomfort in the filled tooth or the surrounding area is caused by certain triggers.
It can be a sudden pain that comes on quickly and then goes away.
Possible triggers of tooth sensitivity after a filling:
- cold or hot food or drinks;
- air entering the tooth, for example, when breathing through the mouth;
- sweet or sour foods and drinks, including fruit, juice and coffee.
Why do fillings cause tooth sensitivity?
Slight pain after cavity filling is usually the result of a change in pressure. After the filling, the piece of tooth is replaced with a hard filling. This changes the way air and saliva move through the tooth.
In addition, there may be more pressure on the gums and root nerve after filling.
Temporary and mild sensitivity or pain after a tooth filling is normal.
However, a person should see a doctor immediately if they experience severe pain or if the discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, including fever or swelling.
Below we will discuss the possible causes of discomfort in which you need to consult a dentist.
Irritated nerve
Temporary tooth sensitivity after a filling usually occurs because the procedure has aggravated or caused inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth.
The outer layers of the tooth, which are enamel and cementum, usually protect the nerve from exposure. However, fillings, especially deep ones, can get close to nerve endings and cause irritation and discomfort. As the nerve heals, the sensitivity will disappear. This may take several days.
After complete healing of the nerve, a person should not feel the difference between the filled tooth and others. If the pain persists, you should consult a doctor.
Improper bite
The dentist must make sure that the sealed tooth is no different from the others. However, people often experience some minor discomfort when biting for a few days after the procedure.
This sensitivity usually goes away on its own. However, when the filling is too high, it can cause additional pressure on the tooth when biting and pain that may be more severe than typical post-filling sensitivity.
If a person experiences severe discomfort, or has difficulty eating or putting their teeth together, they should ask their dentist to check their bite.
The dentist can smooth out the high point of the filling to adjust the bite and eliminate discomfort.
Pulpit
Pulpitis is an inflammation deep inside a tooth that can cause tooth sensitivity and pain.
Pulpitis usually does not occur with minor fillings, but it may occur if:
- the tooth was injured during an accident, which led to a crack or fracture of the tooth;
- the cavity in the tooth was very deep, and reached the inner layer of the pulp;
- the tooth has undergone multiple fillings or procedures.
There are two types of pulpitis.
Reversible pulpitis is a mild inflammation in which the pulp remains healthy and the tooth heals on its own.
Irreversible pulpitis occurs when there is a damaged nerve that begins to die. In these cases, root canal treatment and nerve removal are necessary to save the tooth.
The person may also need to take antibiotics to clear up any bacterial infection.
How to prevent tooth sensitivity after filling
Compliance with the rules of oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tooth sensitivity.
After filling a tooth, a person can minimize discomfort by following the following rules:
- avoid too cold or hot food and drinks, as well as food that is difficult to chew;
- brush your teeth with a brush with soft bristles to avoid irritation and for some time do not use a paste that contains a whitening component;
Regular visits to the dentist can help you detect tooth decay before it becomes a more serious problem.
If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to tooth loss and even blood infection.
Brush your teeth twice a day between visits to the dentist to remove hard-to-reach plaque between your teeth.
The YAREMA DENTAL clinic provides high-quality dental care.
We offer a range of services including professional teeth cleaning, fillings, cosmetic dentistry services and emergency dental care.
If you have a toothache after a filling, we will help diagnose the problem and relieve the pain.