Cavities are very common amongst people who have a sweet tooth due to bad oral hygiene habits. Filling them is one of the most effective methods to deal with it. Tooth pain after filling procedure is not something unusual. The pain makes sense if you think about it; a dentist just drilled inside your tooth.
Mild pain after the surgery is normal and fades away within two to three days by most.
On the other hand, if it does not subside, then your dentist should give immediate medical attention.
Is throbbing tooth pain after filling normal?
Cavities are holes that make their way deep inside the tooth, reaching sensitive levels and causing pain. A filling is done to cover these cavities for tooth protection.
So this leads to the question, is it normal to feel pain when chewing after getting a cavity filled? The answer is yes. Mild to moderate feeling of pain is considered normal; this happens because of pressure changes.
Fillings change the way saliva and food moves around in the mouth, so it requires time to get used to this foreign substance.
Reasons for tooth pain after filling of the cavity
If the ache persists, there may be some factors contributing to it.
Misplaced filling
You are most likely to feel tooth pain if the dentist did not fill the cavity properly. Improper filling often interferes with the bite and makes a gap between the upper and lower jaw. As grave as it sounds, this issue is reversible. You can go ask your dentist to adjust the fillings according to your feasibility.
Metal shock
It is rare, but when filling on the upper and adjacent lower jaw are of different materials, they rub together to produce a current, resulting in pain.
Type of filler
It is essential to choose the right material for filling a cavity according to the patient’s comfort. Composite resin has shrinking properties; as a result, it reduces in size to create a pocket-like gap which causes pain and sensitivity.
Exposed tooth pulp
Two options to get rid of the exposed tooth pulp
- Root canal
- Extraction
Ways To Relieve Pain
OTC painkillers
Dentists prescribe painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol, or acetaminophen for pain relief.
Ice pack around your cheek
Cold compress or ice packs around the swelling works wonders to reduce pain, redness, and swelling.
Numbing creams or gel
If the tooth pain becomes unbearable, dentists often prescribe numbing creams and gels with anesthetics as their active ingredient.
Food Intake
After filling the cavities, make sure to avoid food and beverages with sharp temperatures.
In conclusion, dentists at Vintage Oral Surgery in Houston, TX, are qualified to detect any triggers for your tooth pain after filling procedure. Let us take care of your oral health; give a call at 281 800 8852 for an appointment.