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Why does my tooth still hurt after a filling?

When a person has a cavity in their tooth, a dentist will probably recommend a filling. Fillings are safe and effective, but some people might experience discomfort or tooth sensitivity afterward.

Most of the time, this sensitivity is normal and will resolve within a few days or weeks.

A person should call their dentist right away if they have extreme pain, or if discomfort occurs with other symptoms, such as fever, redness, or swelling.

A filling is a dental procedure that involves a dentist cleaning away any decay from the tooth and then filling the space with a new material.

After injecting a numbing agent around the tooth, the dentist will then clean out the decayed area of the tooth, usually with a dental drill. They will then fill the space with gold, silver amalgam, a composite, or porcelain.

For several hours after having a filling, a person’s face may still feel numb, tingly, itchy, or puffy. They may have difficulty eating, swallowing, talking, or moving their face.

Sometimes, dentists recommend that people avoid eating or drinking for a few hours, as this may result in a person accidentally biting their tongue or cheek.

Once the numbing agent has worn off, these feelings will go away. But, in the following days and weeks, a person may notice some new sensations as they adjust to the new filling.

Sensitivity in the filled tooth or area around it is one of the most common occurrences during this time.

Factors that can trigger tooth sensitivity after a filling include: cold foods or drinks, such as ice cream, popsicles, or beverages with ice, hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, air hitting the tooth, such as when breathing through the mouth, which may be worse with cold air, sugary foods, such as candy, acidic foods and drinks, including fruit, juice, and coffee, biting down when eating.

Short-term tooth sensitivity after a filling usually occurs because the filling procedure has aggravated or caused inflammation in the nerve inside the tooth.

Usually, the tooth’s outer layers — the enamel and cementum — protect the nerve from exposure. But 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. Once the nerve has healed fully, a person should feel no difference between the filled tooth and the other teeth.

When a person experiences normal, post-filling sensitivity, a dentist may recommend that they use a desensitizing toothpaste.

These products contain an ingredient called potassium nitrate that helps stop the sensations on the surface of the tooth from reaching the nerve endings inside.

These products do not work immediately, but a person should notice relief within several days if they use the toothpaste twice a day.

A person may also try the following methods at home to help relieve tooth sensitivity: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, topical numbing ointment designed for the mouth, a toothbrush labeled for sensitive teeth, brush with gentle, circular strokes on the teeth and gums, avoid scrubbing back and forth or aggressive pushing of the brush on the teeth, floss once a day, taking care to be gentle on the gums and teeth, take note of which foods or drinks cause sensitivity and avoid them if possible, avoid whitening toothpaste and products, which can make sensitivity worse, rinse the mouth out with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks, such as coffee and fruit, acidic foods and beverages can wear away the tooth enamel, avoid brushing the teeth immediately after eating acidic foods, as it may remove more of the enamel.

Fillings are a safe and effective way to treat dental cavities. Most fillings will last many years. Taking good care of teeth with daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups, can help prevent future cavities.

Some sensitivity after getting a filling is normal. But, see a dentist for severe sensitivity or pain or if other problems, such as fever or redness, develop.

(09/19/2020)
by Jennifer Berry

More Information: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324267

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