Is it normal to have tooth sensitivity after a filling

The goal of getting a filling done is to correct tooth decay or cavities and ease any discomfort they might cause. So why do some people experience tooth pain after a filling? There are a variety of reasons why you might feel a bit of pain or sensitivity after a dentist fills your tooth. In some cases, the discomfort is simply a reaction to the process of repairing the tooth. In other instances, you might feel some discomfort because the filling itself needs to be adjusted. Alternatively, the tooth pulp could be inflamed due to the depth of the initial cavity and some infection of the pulp. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to deal with tooth pain after a filling.

Reasons for Sensitivity or Pain After a Filling

It is fairly common for you to have some pain or sensitivity in the treated tooth after a filling. Usually, any discomfort should fade after a day or two.

If you're still having sensitivity and pain several days after your filling, it may be due to an issue with the filling itself or with the tooth. One common reason for pain in a tooth after you get a filling is that the filling isn't positioned quite right, and it's interfering with your bite. A filling that is too high can cause pressure on the filled tooth and a misalignment of your bite, which prevents the teeth from fitting together properly when you bite down.

It is also common to feel pain in the teeth surrounding the affected one, according to Healthline. This is due to a phenomenon called referred pain, which involves feeling pain in an area other than the source of the pain.

What to Do About the Pain

What if it's been a week since your filling and you're still feeling pain? The best thing to do is schedule an appointment with your dental professional as soon as possible. He or she will be able to pinpoint and correct the issue.

If it's a matter of a filling that is too high, the dentist will adjust the height of your filling so that you can bite down with comfort and ease. If you're dealing with sensitivity due to a composite filling, the dentist might recommend replacing the filling with a different material. Finally, if an infected pulp is behind your discomfort, your options might be to have a root canal treatment or for the dentist to remove the tooth and replace it with an implant or bridge.

If you want to avoid cavities in the first place, establish a great oral care routine at home. Brushing twice a day will strengthen your teeth and help prevent cavities. Flossing daily will also remove plaque and will help to keep your gums healthy. Regular dental visits are important too, for spotting any problems before you need major treatment.

Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is fairly common. A tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods, or temperature. Usually, the sensitivity resolves on its own within a few weeks. During this time, avoid those things that are causing the sensitivity. Pain relievers are generally not required.

Contact your dentist if the sensitivity does not subside within two to four weeks or if your tooth is extremely sensitive. They may recommend you use a desensitizing toothpaste, may apply a desensitizing agent to the tooth, or possibly suggest a root canal procedure.

Pain Around Fillings:

There are several explanations for pain around fillings, each resulting from a different cause.

  1. Pain when you bite or touch you teeth together. This type of pain occurs when you bite down. The pain is noticed soon after the anesthesia wears off and continues over time. In this case, the filling may be interfering with your bite. You will need to return to your dentist and have the filling reshaped. If the pain still continues, it may indicate a further problem that requires additional treatment such as root canal therapy.
  2. Pain to hot or cold. This pain is a very sharp pain that occurs only when your teeth touch something hot or cold; the pain goes away in a few seconds when the hot or cold is removed. If this pain lingers on for a long time even after the hot or cold is removed, it may indicate irreversible damage to the nerve and you should contact your dentist.
  3. "Toothache-type" constant throbbing pain. If the decay was very deep to the pulp of the tooth, this "toothache" response may indicate this tissue is no longer healthy. If this is the case, "root canal" treatment may be required.
  4. Referred pain. This is pain or sensitivity in other teeth besides the one that received the filling. With this particular pain, there is likely nothing wrong with your teeth. The filled tooth is simply passing along "pain signals" it is receiving to other teeth. This pain should decrease on its own over one to two weeks.

Allergic Reactions to Amalgam (Silver) Fillings

Allergic reactions to silver fillings are rare. Fewer than 100 cases have ever been reported, according to the American Dental Association. In these rare circumstances, mercury or one of the metals used in an amalgam restoration is thought to trigger the allergic response. Symptoms of amalgam allergy are similar to those experienced in a typical skin allergy and include skin rashes and itching. Patients who suffer amalgam allergies typically have a medical or family history of allergies to metals. Once an allergy is confirmed, another restorative material can be used.

Deteriorating Fillings

Constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause dental fillings to wear away, chip, or crack. Although you may not be able to tell that your filling is wearing down, your dentist can identify weaknesses in your restorations during a regular check-up.

If the seal between the tooth enamel and the filling breaks down, food particles and decay-causing bacteria can work their way under the filling. You then run the risk of developing additional decay in that tooth. Decay that is left untreated can progress to infect the dental pulp and may cause an abscessed tooth.

If the filling is large or the recurrent decay is extensive, there may not be enough tooth structure remaining to support a replacement filling. In these cases, your dentist may need to replace the filling with a crown.

New fillings that fall out are probably the result of inadequate dental work, contamination of the preparation prior to placement of the restoration, or a fracture of the restoration from bite or chewing trauma. Older restorations will generally be lost due to decay or fracturing of the remaining tooth.

Why is my tooth so sensitive after a filling?

The tooth's outer layers, which are the enamel and cementum, usually protect the nerve from exposure. However, fillings — especially deep ones — can get close to the nerve endings and cause irritation and uncomfortable sensations. As the nerve heals, the sensitivity will go away. This may take a few days or weeks.

How do I stop my teeth from being sensitive after a filling?

You can reduce your risk of tooth pain after filling a cavity by avoiding common sensitive teeth triggers, including very hot or cold foods. In addition, toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can help minimize the possible sensitivity and tooth pain after filling a cavity.