Dr.sanaz bellucci
September 11, 2023
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Why does my filled tooth hurt? A journey to the origin
Table of Contents
It has probably happened to you that you feel pain after a tooth filling. Although pain from tooth filling is not common, it is possible that you will feel some degree of pain in the first few days.
It is worth noting that this pain sometimes continues for days and weeks. In fact, persistent pain means that you need more therapeutic intervention.
Usually, therapeutic intervention can include restoration, replacement, denervation, or the implementation of a filled tooth floor.
It is good to know that the causes of pain after tooth filling are different, and it is important to go to the dentist as soon as possible to diagnose the cause of the pain and treat it in time.
The good news is that most of the time, pain from a filled tooth is normal and will go away after a few days.
However, knowing what kind of pain is normal and when to take it seriously can go a long way. This will help you know whether you should wait for it to be fixed or visit the dentist’s office right away.
The origin of the pain of a filled tooth
A tooth filling is one of the treatment methods for decayed teeth. Now, despite the filling of the decayed tooth, you may still feel pain in that tooth, the cause of which can be different depending on whether this pain occurs immediately after the filling or years later.
In the following, we will examine the cause of each of the temporary conditions of the pain of a filled tooth.
Filled tooth pain immediately after filling
Increased tooth sensitivity after filling cavities is normal and usually disappears within a few days or weeks after treatment.
There can be reasons for this problem to last longer. However, before stating the reasons, It is good to know that there are two types of toothache in filled teeth:
Normal Pain
The normal Pain from filling should disappear within a few days. If this Pain lasts longer, you should contact your dentist. The types of this type of Pain are:
Mouth pain after filling a cavity is common, especially around the affected tooth area. Experiencing jaw pain is also common Because you have had to hold your jaw open for too long.
Tenderness is also a common side effect after a cavity filling.
Abnormal pain
Types of Pain that you should immediately visit the dental office include:
Biting Pain is not a common side effect after cavity filling. The cause of the Pain of a filled tooth when chewing is usually the placement of a large amount of filling material on the tooth, which causes an abnormal bite.
After restoration, the dentist can solve this type of tooth pain by removing the excess filling material and smoothing its surfaces.
Sharp, throbbing Pain usually indicates more serious problems with your oral health. Therefore, when you see these symptoms, you should contact your dentist.
Cause of pain after tooth filling
In the following, we will examine the cause of pain after tooth filling in more detail:
- Misalignment of the filling material: One of the most important aspects of the correct installation and placement is to ensure its alignment with the patient’s bite (bite) alignment.
A filling not properly placed on the tooth may affect how people bite and eat and cause pain and discomfort.
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- The tooth is sensitive after filling, and this is completely normal. However, avoiding eating hot and cold foods for at least a few hours is important.
Sensitivity may last up to two weeks after treatment.
If your tooth sensitivity does not disappear within two to four weeks, contact your dentist and let him know about your situation.
The dentist may recommend a hypoallergenic toothpaste or apply a special desensitizer to the tooth.
Of course, note that depending on the type of cavity filled and the filling material, this sensitivity may be with you for the rest of your tooth’s life. Because if the amalgam restoration is deep, it can easily transfer heat and cold to the pulp tissue.
Therefore, if the cavity is deep, it is better to ask your dentist to use composite to fill your tooth, although it has a shorter life than amalgam.
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- Allergic reaction to fillers. An allergic reaction to filling materials is one of the most common causes of pain after tooth filling.
In many cases, the patient’s sensitivity to one of the tooth-filling materials is associated with symptoms such as small lesions on the gums, itching, pain, etc.
If you are allergic to certain substances, you should inform your dentist before starting the treatment.
If the person notices an allergy to these materials during or after the treatment, the dentist will use another filling material.
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- Remaining decay. Another reason for toothache after filling is the remaining decay of the same tooth.
In such cases, the dentist does not properly clean the tooth cavity.
In fact, tooth decay is still not completely removed, and it spreads over time. For this reason, the person still feels pain and discomfort.
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- Dental pulp inflammation. Dental pulp refers to the soft part of the tooth located inside the root canal and under the tooth dentin.
Since the pulp is the place of the vital and living tissues of the tooth, the infection and inflammation of the tooth pulp are associated with severe pain.
Unfortunately, the dentist can fill the tooth before removing the decay. In such a situation, the decay will spread to the tooth’s pulp and lead to infection and inflammation.
Causes of filled tooth pain after a while
- Destruction of the filling material Over time, the filling material may begin to deteriorate and be lost due to factors such as chewing and grinding teeth.
An enlarged gap between the tooth and the filling material can harbour food debris and bacteria. This, in turn, can cause tooth decay or even the formation of a tooth abscess.
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- Residual decay Another cause of pain in an old filled tooth can be the remaining decay of the same tooth.
In such cases, the dentist does not properly clean the tooth cavity. In fact, tooth decay is still not completely removed, and over time, it spreads again.
For this reason, the person still feels pain and discomfort.
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- Recurrent tooth decay: If the pain comes back to you after a period of time after filling the tooth, there is a possibility of repeated tooth decay.
Many times, people neglect their oral hygiene after dental restoration.
In this case, the remaining parts of the tooth will decay again. For this reason, the pain comes back to the person.
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- Trauma: trauma can lead to tooth fracture and cracking. This is also associated with the loss of tooth-filling material.
In this situation, the nerve of the tooth is exposed, and food and oral bacteria will be in contact with it.
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- Periodontal diseases Gum diseases that are associated with inflammation, swelling and redness of the gums can cause a vague pain inside and around the tooth.
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- Bacterial infection is a common cause of gum disease, and if left untreated, it may cause more pain and damage to teeth, gums, and bones.
This complication occurs when you do not pay attention to the treatment of minor caries on your teeth and do not observe oral hygiene.
This case is one of the important factors in the pain of a filled tooth after a few months.
About the pain of a filled tooth after a while, we have prepared a comprehensive guide that you can refer to as “decay under filling”.
How can sensitivity be reduced after tooth filling?
If you have only minor sensitivity after this treatment, it is better to do the following:
First, if you have pain while eating, move your chewing to the opposite side of your mouth. In this case, temperature and pressure will not affect the filled tooth.
You can use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Of course, keep in mind that arbitrary use of painkillers may cause problems for you.
If your teeth are sensitive to the touch, use a toothbrush with a soft brush and floss gently.
A good anti-allergic toothpaste will also play an effective role in reducing this sensitivity.
What should I do with severe pain after tooth filling?
While some tooth sensitivity is normal after a filling, severe pain may warrant a visit to the dentist, So make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
If your tooth has a lot of decay, the resulting filling may be quite deep.
If you have severe, throbbing pain after filling treatment, the tooth may need extraction or root canal treatment.
Note that if you experience severe pain or prolonged discomfort after a filling, or if it is accompanied by swelling, redness, or fever, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.
My tooth is still sensitive after filling. Is this dangerous?
One of the most common ways to tell if a filling is dangerous is when you feel a short, sharp pain when biting or chewing food. This is a sign that bacteria may have entered the area between the restorative material and the tooth enamel.
Conclusion
The cause of a filled tooth’s pain will differ depending on whether the pain is immediate or with an interval.
However, most dentists warn the patient of the possibility of sensitivity for a short period of time. Using an anti-allergic toothpaste can be helpful for people who have sensitive teeth. During this time, it is better to avoid drinking and eating very cold or hot foods and acidic liquids, and using a toothbrush with soft bristles is recommended.
But suppose this sensitivity does not decrease with the passage of time of one month. In that case, it can have more serious reasons and therefore needs to be re-evaluated and maybe needs to replace the current filling with a new filling by the dentist.
Dr.sanaz bellucci
I am Sanaz Bellucci , a dentist. In this electronic magazine, I publish my collection of research and studies on various topics related to health and beauty that you may face with it.
You can also share your questions of interest with me so that I can give them complete and comprehensive answers. stay with me.
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Dr.sanaz bellucci
September 21, 2023
One Response
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks.