Things Your Dentist May Not Tell You after a Dental Filling
A dental filling is a common procedure to treat a cavity, but many patients may experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort afterwards. After a dental filling, taking care of your mouth and watching for any signs of discomfort is important. Our dentists recommend avoiding chewing hard foods, sticky sweets, and hot or cold drinks for at least 24 hours after filling.
If you’re experiencing pain or sensitivity, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress on your cheek. Please call our office to book a follow-up if the pain persists. But before your visit, remember these to prevent more serious oral concerns.
Post-Filling Pain
If you have a new dental filling that is causing you pain, it may be because the filling is too high. This can happen as you move your jaw, speak, or chew. If the filling happens to be higher than the rest of your pearly whites, it is at a higher risk of cracking. Contact your dentist to have the filling smoothed or reshaped.
Adjacent Tooth Pain
After you get a dental filling, you may feel pain in the teeth next to the tooth that got the filling. This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your teeth. The tooth with the new filling is probably just sending signals to the nearby teeth. The pain should go away in one to two weeks.
If you experience any toothache-like symptoms after your new dental filling, it could be a sign that decay has reached the tooth’s pulp. If this is the case, you could require a root canal, so call your dentist if you think this may be a concern.
Post-Filling Sensitivity
The dental filling may cause increased sensitivity to cold or hot food and air for up to three weeks. You may also feel increased sensitivity from the pressure of biting with the new dental filling, particularly if the filling covers a deeper cavity.
To avoid this problem after a filling, start brushing with a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. We also recommend avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks. For the first few weeks, try chewing your food on the other side of your mouth. Please contact our dentist’s office if the sensitivity does not go away after two weeks.
Sharp Pain in the Actual Filling
After your new filling is put in, you may notice that it is not as comfortable as it was when you were in the dentist’s chair. This is because your jaw is moving, and the anesthetic is wearing off. You may also notice that the filling is too high or that some sharp edges need to be smoothed. Contact your dentist for a quick follow-up so that they can address the problem.
Addressing Cavities
If your teeth are sensitive after getting a dental filling, talk to your dentist about other types of fillings. Each patient reacts differently to various types of metal fillings. Your dentist can also take extra preventive measures, like using a base, liner, or desensitizing agent.
Learn All about These on the First Visit at Weymouth Dental Arts
At Weymouth Dental Arts, we don’t let our patients discover these problems post-op. We supply them with necessary dental fillings while providing all necessary information for optimal post-dental filling care. Book your appointment with a dentist in Weymouth, MA, and learn more about fillings on our website!