You have visited a dentist who treated your dental caries and filled the cavity, but you continue to experience discomfort?
Why does a tooth hurt after a filling, and in which cases should you see your dentist again?
A dental filling is a very common procedure that dentists use to protect teeth from further deterioration. Over time, the accumulation of bacteria on the teeth can develop into harmful plaque, which can cause dental caries. Dental caries is what causes a cavity to form in the tooth.
Dental fillings seal these cavities and prevent further deterioration of the tooth.
Before placing a filling, the dentist numbs the area around the affected tooth. After administering the anesthetic, the dentist cleans the area of the tooth affected by caries, usually using a dental drill, and then fills the tooth.
Any excess filling material is polished away so that the tooth is smooth and does not differ from the others.
In some cases, the dentist may first place a temporary filling, which is later removed and replaced with a permanent one.
As a rule, a filled tooth should not hurt. However, there are exceptions. It depends both on the professionalism of the dentist who placed the filling and on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
People with sensitive teeth, gingivitis or periodontitis, an untreated dental infection, or crowded teeth may be more likely to experience pain and discomfort after a filling.
However, sometimes a filled tooth may hurt even in patients who do not have any of the problems mentioned above.
Some discomfort and even moderate pain after filling a carious cavity can be normal, especially if the caries was deep and close to the root of the tooth. The tooth may hurt when pressure is applied to it or when a hard piece of food comes into contact with it.
Usually, the pain and discomfort subside within a few days. During this period, pain medication may be taken to reduce unpleasant sensations.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity After a Filling?
After a filling, the tooth may also become more sensitive. Temporary discomfort in the filled tooth or the surrounding area can be triggered by certain factors.
It may be a sudden pain that appears quickly and then disappears.
Possible triggers of tooth sensitivity after a filling include:
- cold or hot foods and drinks;
- air entering the tooth, for example, when breathing through the mouth;
- sweet or acidic foods and drinks, including fruit, juices, and coffee.
Why Do Fillings Cause Increased Tooth Sensitivity?
Mild pain after filling a cavity is usually the result of a change in pressure. After a filling, part of the tooth is replaced with a hard filling material. This changes the way air and saliva move through the tooth.
In addition, after a filling, greater pressure may occur on the gums and the nerve of the tooth root.
Temporary and mild sensitivity or pain after a dental filling is a common occurrence.
However, a person should see a doctor immediately if they experience severe pain or if the discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, particularly fever or swelling.
Below, we discuss possible causes of discomfort that require a visit to the 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, enamel and cementum, usually protect the nerve from external influences. However, fillings, especially deep ones, can be close to the nerve endings and cause irritation and discomfort. As the nerve heals, the sensitivity will disappear. This may take several days.
Once the nerve has fully healed, a person should not feel any difference between the filled tooth and the other teeth. If the pain does not go away, it is necessary to see a dentist.
Improper Bite
The dentist should make sure that the filled tooth does not differ from the others.
However, people often experience some minor discomfort when biting for several days after the procedure.
This sensitivity usually disappears on its own. However, when a filling is too high, it can cause additional pressure on the tooth during biting and pain that may be stronger than typical sensitivity after a filling.
If a person experiences significant discomfort or has difficulty eating or bringing the teeth together, they should ask the dentist to check their bite.
The dentist can smooth down the high point of the filling to properly adjust the bite and eliminate the discomfort.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is inflammation deep inside the tooth that can cause tooth sensitivity and pain.
Pulpitis usually does not occur with minor fillings, but it can happen if:
- the tooth was injured in an accident, resulting in a crack or fracture;
- the cavity in the tooth was very deep and reached the inner pulp layer;
- the tooth has undergone multiple fillings or procedures.
There are two types of pulpitis.
Reversible pulpitis is mild inflammation in which the pulp remains healthy and the tooth heals on its own.
Irreversible pulpitis occurs when the nerve is damaged and begins to die. In these cases, root canal treatment and removal of the nerve are necessary to preserve the tooth.
A person may also need to take antibiotics to eliminate any bacterial infection.
How to Prevent Increased Tooth Sensitivity After a Filling
Following proper oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tooth sensitivity.
After having a tooth filled, a person can minimize discomfort by following these recommendations:
- avoid foods and drinks that are too cold or hot, as well as foods that are difficult to chew;
- brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritation and, for some time, avoid using toothpaste that contains whitening ingredients;
- regular visits to the dentist can help detect dental caries before it develops into a more serious problem.
If dental caries is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and even blood infection.
Between dental visits, brush your teeth twice a day to remove hard-to-reach plaque between the teeth.
YAREMA DENTAL Clinic provides high-quality dental care.
We offer a range of services, including professional teeth cleaning, dental fillings, aesthetic dentistry, and emergency dental care.
If you have tooth pain after a filling, we will help diagnose the problem and relieve the pain.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.