Are your teeth sensitive after the filling procedure? If so, should you be concerned?
Let’s face it, teeth can be temperamental critters. Most people experience tooth sensitivity at some point in their lives – even if they visit the dentist regularly or practice good oral hygiene. The nerves in our body are unpredictable and just the same as when you can’t be sure you’re going to get an itch, you’re unlikely to receive any warning when a cold beverage strikes a nerve, or one misjudged bite will cause you to wince. Before you know it you have sensitive teeth.
So, while the occasional sensitive tooth is a part of life, is it normal to experience tooth sensitivity after a filling?
In a word yes – but it depends!
In most cases when treating a tooth for a filling it’s likely that you’ll have some form of anaesthesia. Of course, this is good news for you because it means that you won’t feel too much (if any) of the process – particularly the preparation before a tooth filling. Often this can involve intrusive cleaning.
The problem comes when the anaesthesia wears off. In some cases, the dental filling is placed and the problem is gone – no more discomfort. However in others – especially in cases where the problematic cavity is both deep and large – there is a good chance that normal post-filing sensitivity will occur.
Common forms of tooth sensitivity after a filling
It isn’t natural for a tooth to be poked around and prodded, so it’s understandable that some degree of tooth sensitivity after a filling is likely to occur. However, what you may not know is that slight sensitivity or discomfort after a tooth filling can come in several forms.
Referred pain
The term ‘referred pain’ refers to temporary discomfort felt in any surrounding teeth other than the filled tooth itself. You could look on it as your other teeth feeling sorry for your filled teeth and wanting to join in. The good news is that in most cases it’s purely what is known as an adjustment and any discomfort felt should disappear within 3-7 days. In the meantime, any discomfort can usually be brought under control with an over-the-counter pain killer. Nevertheless, if you are concerned, you can always talk to your dentist about it.
Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold items
New fillings can often be sensitive to hot or cold beverages or cold air. However, any pain felt should only last for a few seconds – at least, until the offending hot or cold beverage has been removed. This is relatively normal post-filling treatment and any sensitivity should disappear within a few days to a few weeks.
Sometimes, however, sensitivity of this nature can linger even after removing the hot or cold item from the teeth area. In these cases, you should seek dental assistance because it might be that you’re experiencing some type of nerve damage.
Tooth sensitivity when biting down
When teeth are sensitive after fillings, it’s often when the patient is biting down for the first few times. Again any discomfort should quickly dissipate within a few hours, as it may simply be a case of letting your teeth become accustomed to your bite. If any discomfort is felt for longer than a few days it could be that your filling has cracked or the filling is interfering with your natural bite. Either way in these situations, it’s always best to return to your dentist who will investigate the problem further.
Throbbing pain
One of the worst forms of toothache is a throbbing pain. If you have ever experienced it before you’ll know that it isn’t very pleasant and quite frankly it can be debilitating, making your life a misery! Thankfully, when it comes to tooth filling sensitivity at least it’s relatively rare. However, it can happen when the cavity in question runs particularly deep. Any pain felt may indicate that the tissue of the affected tooth isn’t very healthy and in some cases, deep cavities can even result in the tooth nerve dying. If this is the case, then chances are you will need root canal treatment to save the tooth in question.
Allergic reactions
The final type of tooth pain that may cause sensitivity after a filling is an allergic reaction. Although very rare, allergic reactions to a particular type of tooth filling material can and do occur in some instances, particularly in those who are allergic to silver (amalgam). If you do suffer from allergies it’s always best to tell your dentist before undergoing dental filling treatment.
So now we know what can cause teeth sensitivity after filings, what is the best way to deal with it?
Do nothing!
Okay, so it does seem a little counterintuitive for a dentist to suggest doing absolutely nothing when you’re experiencing post-filling discomfort but remember that this is a normal reaction and sometimes it’s best simply to ride the storm and wait it out! As your tooth or surrounding teeth get used to the filling, any sensitivity should ease off over a short period of time. In the meantime, it is a good idea to take a note of what food and beverages (if any) are causing you dental discomfort and look to avoid them for a week or two until the tooth has settled down.
Seek advice from your dentist
Sometimes, once teeth are sensitive after filings, any discomfort doesn’t go away or gets progressively worse. In these instances, it’s always best to seek advice from your dentist. It could be that there remains a problem with your tooth filling and the dentist will need to carry out a repair. Alternatively, there could be other underlying problems with the tooth which will need to be dealt with.
What about if you are still getting tooth sensitivity after a filling and your dentist tells you that nothing is wrong? You could, of course, get a second opinion or it could be that you simply have naturally sensitive teeth which have been aggravated by your recent tooth filling. If this is the case, you might want to avoid rigorous brushing and eating or drinking foods and beverages that don’t exacerbate the sensitivity such as dairy, fruit, and vegetables
If you’re concerned about your teeth being sensitive after a filling, why don’t you come and talk to the team at No Gaps Dental before undergoing filling treatment. As well as offering convenience and value for money, we take the time to ensure that you are fully informed about your treatment and will happily answer any questions or concerns you may have.
To book an appointment at a handy location of your choice, visit our locations page today.