Tooth Pain After Filling
One of the most obvious signs that a cavity has developed is experiencing mouth pain. If you are experiencing pain in your mouth, even if it is mild, it is a good idea to see if you need to have a cary dental filling placed. Fortunately, having a filling placed is a relatively painless procedure. The process begins with your dentist numbing the area where the cavity has developed. Once this area is properly numbed, they will remove the decay from the tooth and then fill this area with a filling material.
What Causes Pain After Fillings?
Experiencing some pain or discomfort following having a filling placed is very common. The most common reasons for why pain or discomfort may be experienced include the following:
- Cracked/loose fillings: Tooth pain following a filling is most commonly caused by improperly fitted fillings to the tooth. Contact your dentist if you suspect or notice any signs of cracking or feel your filling does not fit properly.
- Allergic reaction: Though rare, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the material used for the fillings, the most common being an allergic reaction to silver.
- Generalized tooth sensitivity: It is completely normal to experience some tooth sensitivity, especially hot or cold foods or when biting. If this pain does not subside or go away after a few weeks of having the filling placed, contact your dentist for a follow up appointment.
- Pulpitis: Though uncommon, pulpitis can occur when the pulp of your tooth becomes irritated and inflamed as a result of your dentist removing decayed parts of the tooth. Most patients will naturally heal from this process, but there are instances when this healing does not occur, in which case a root canal may be necessary.
Managing Pain Associated with Having a Tooth Filling
In most cases, you will not have to take any special precautions to mitigate tooth pain following the placement of a filling, though there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of experiencing pain. If tooth pain is of concern, you may want to talk to your dentist about soft bristle toothbrushes or specialty toothpastes that can help minimize tooth pain.
Catching and treating cavities early on is the best way to keep the cost of your dental bills low. Left untreated, the issues that caused the cavities to develop in the first place can result in the spread of infection, which can potentially result in the loss of additional teeth.
Fortunately, there will not be many additional costs required to maintain the integrity of your teeth following a filling. The most important thing you can do following a filling procedure is to practice good oral hygiene habits to ensure that future issues do not develop. Be sure that you continue brushing and flossing twice daily, practice proper brushing and flossing techniques, be mindful of your diet and avoid high sugar and high starch foods, and continue scheduling regular dental exam every six months. If you follow these basic best practices, you should enjoy a healthy and cavity free smile for years to come!
More About Tooth Fillings : Types of Dental Fillings and Pros/Cons