Tooth pain after filling

Cavities can cause pain in the teeth or gums. Unfortunately, certain problems with dental cavity fillings may also cause pain. However, these problems are usually easy to diagnose and fix. To understand how fillings may cause discomfort, it helps to understand the procedure for placing a filling. When you have a dental cavity filled, your dentist will first inject a local anesthetic into the area around the cavity, to numb the tooth and allow it to be painlessly repaired. Once the tooth and surrounding area are effectively numbed, the dentist will remove the portion of the decayed and damaged tooth. After the decayed portion of tooth is removed, the dentist will place your dental filling, protecting the affected area from further damage and decay.

Because a filling replaces the tooth area that has decayed, protecting any damaged surface area, pain from the cavity itself diminishes, eventually disappearing, when a filling is placed. It is not unusual for patients to experience some pain or discomfort after receiving a filling, however. There are a few common reasons for this. Typically, a tooth that has recently been filled is likely to be more sensitive to foods and drinks that are either extremely hot or extremely cold. A recently filled tooth may also experience discomfort when exposed to extreme air temperature or pressure from biting. This common discomfort usually subsides within a couple of weeks; if yours does not, be sure to contact your dentist for a follow-up visit.

Pain following a cavity may also arise if the filling does not fit properly or if the filling becomes cracked. Usually, your dentist will assess the fit of the filling while you are still in the dental chair, but if you find that your filling doesn’t fit properly or if you suspect that it has developed a crack, contact your dentist, who will be able to refit the filling and either repair cracks or replace the filling entirely, depending on the severity of damage. It is also possible for people to have allergic reactions to fillings, so be sure to talk to your dentist before any dental procedure about any allergies you may have, including potential allergies to filling materials.

Avoiding common triggers for tooth sensitivity, like excessively hot or cold foods or drinks, can reduce sensitivity or pain following a filling. You may also want to use a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth, which can minimize sensitivity and relieve pain while protecting the teeth against recurrences of tooth pain. Your dentist can recommend kinds of toothpaste and mouth rinses that may help alleviate sensitivity or discomfort following a dental filling. Be sure to brush and floss gently, prevent any irritation while maintaining the cleanliness and health of the affected area, and remember that the pain resulting from a cavity will always be worse than the pain that may result from a filling. Call your dentist if you think you may have a cavity, and get it treated soon to prevent further discomfort and protect against deeper decay.

More on Dental Fillings : Types of Dental Fillings