Lingering Tooth Pain Weeks After a Filling: Is This Normal?
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Table of Contents
- Tooth Pain Proceeding a Filling
- Reasons for Lingering Tooth Pain
- Treating Pain After a Filling
- When You Should See Your Dentist
- References
Tooth pain in the first day or two after getting a filling is normal, but this pain should ease after about two days. If it does not go away — if it lingers or gets worse — return to your dentist for help.
There are several reasons that your filling might cause pain, often because it is cracked or ill-fitting, which your dentist can fix.
Is Tooth Pain After a Filling Normal?
Experiencing pain, swelling, and bleeding can all be signs that you have a cavity in a tooth that needs a filling. Pain before getting a filling is normal, and getting a filling should eventually solve the pain.
However, you might experience pain after getting a filling, which can indicate that there is another problem. Pain after the first day or two is normal, but ongoing or worsening pain means you should go back to your dentist.
Reasons for Lingering Tooth Pain After a Filling
You might develop tooth pain after getting a filling due to:
Tooth Sensitivity
Hot, cold, and sweet food can all cause some dental sensitivity and even pain as a reaction. These sensations might be heightened after you get a filling. Air temperature and pressure from biting down can also cause pain on a new filling.
Typically, this pain and sensitivity should go away within a few weeks. If it does not go away or if it gets worse, contact your dentist.
Cracked Fillings
Loose Fillings
An Allergic Reaction to Fillings
Treating Tooth Pain Immediately After a Filling
In the first few days after getting a filling, topical anesthetic or over-the-counter painkillers can ease pain you experience. You may also consider:
- Using a toothbrush for sensitive teeth, which will have softer bristles.
- Brushing more gently than you normally do, especially around the tooth with the new filling.
- Avoiding foods that might cause pain or sensitivity, like very hot or cold foods, crunchy food, acidic foods, or sugary food.
- Rinsing the mouth with warm saltwater after brushing and flossing.
Continued or worsening pain means you should contact your dentist to check the filling. While you wait, over-the-counter pain medications, along with cold compresses, can lessen your discomfort.
When You Should Return to Your Dentist
When you return to your dentist to check the filling, your dentist may find that there is a malocclusion of the filling. This means it might be too high, and your dentist can adjust the filling so there is less pressure and discomfort. Your dentist may also need to replace the filling with a different material. For some people, composite fillings can increase pain or sensitivity.
There may be inflamed roots or pulp causing the pain or discomfort, which either appeared after the filling or were not removed because your dentist did not notice them at first. Unfortunately, extensive decay or infection may mean you need a root canal or an extraction.
Fortunately, pain after getting a filling is rare. Most people recover quickly and experience satisfaction with their treatment.
References
What Is a Filling? Colgate.com. Date fetched: June 23, 2021.
Tooth Pain and Sensitivity Before or After Filling Cavities. Crest.com. Date fetched: June 23, 2021.
Why Does My Tooth Still Hurt After a Filling? (January 2019). Medical News Today. Date fetched: June 23, 2021.
Tooth Pain After a Filling: Is It Normal? Colgate.com. Date fetched: June 23, 2021.
Composite Fillings. Mouth Healthy by the American Dental Association. Date fetched: June 23, 2021.
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