Tooth Pain After Filling
Pain from a dental cavity is often one of the most common types of oral discomfort. The good news is, this pain can quickly be treated by having a filling placed. If you are currently experiencing any dental cavity symptoms, such as pain in your gums or teeth, please contact our staff to schedule an exam to see if a filling is right for you.
If your dentist determines that a filling is the appropriate procedure for you, your dentist will begin the process by first numbing the area around the cavity. Once the anesthetic has properly numbed the area, your dentist will begin removing the decay from the tooth. Once this is completed, your dentist will place a filling material in the area with a material that you have selected. Common materials include the following:
- Gold
- Composite
- Amalgam
- Ceramic
- Glass Ionomer
Tooth Pain After Fillings Are Placed
It is not uncommon for patients to experience some pain following the filling procedure. The reason this pain occurs is usually due to one of the following:
- Loose or cracked fillings: If the filling you have had placed has not been properly fitted or has begun to develop cracks, it is not uncommon to experience some tooth pain following this procedure. Please contact our staff if you are worried you may be experiencing tooth pain that may be related to either of these issues.
- Tooth sensitivity: It is common to experience tooth sensitivity for a few weeks following your procedure, especially when eating hot or cold foods or when biting. If this pain does not subside after a few weeks, please contact your dentist to schedule a follow up appointment.
- Allergic reaction: Although it is rare, some people will have an allergic reaction to certain materials used in fillings. To prevent this from occurring, it is important that you discuss any allergies you have with your dentist prior to selecting your dental filling material type.
Ways of Managing Tooth Filling Pain
It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort following any dental procedure, including something as simple as a cavity filling. Provided you avoid common mistakes following your tooth filling procedure, you can generally avoid, or at least minimize the pain associated. It is helpful to avoid extremely hot or extremely cold foods. You should also talk to your dentist about specialty toothpastes that are designed to minimize sensitivity and pain following this procedure.
Practicing Proper Self Care Following A Filling
If you take good care of your dental fillings, your dental fillings will continue to take good care of you. To preserve the strength and overall health of the filling, be sure to continue practicing good oral hygiene practices. Continue brushing and flossing your teeth at a minimum of twice daily, and continue scheduling dental checkups every six months. Scheduling these checkups is incredibly important, because doing so allows your dentist to continue monitoring the overall health and wellbeing of your teeth and address potential warning areas well before they develop into something more serious.
Contact Renaissance Dental Center about your consultation today, let us help you decide what filling is right for you.
Want to learn more about fillings? Read : Sensitivity after Dental Fillings