Is Pain After a Dental Filling Normal?

A dental filling is the best therapy for a cavity caused by tooth decay. After the treatment, patients are frequently shocked to experience some sensitivity or even pain. To a point, this is normal. However, if sensitivity is excessive or lasts for an extended period of time, it could indicate a problem. How long should a cavity filling be sensitive before seeking treatment?

What to Expect Immediately After a Filling

Most people have slight sensitivity shortly after having a tooth filled. This normally only lasts a few hours and is caused by the anesthetic wearing off rather than the tooth filling itself.

Dentists frequently employ the local anesthetic medication novocaine to insert fillings without causing pain to the patient. The tooth with the cavity and the surrounding area are numbed by injecting novocaine with a syringe. Within five or ten minutes, the patient cannot feel the dentist utilizing a drill and other dental instruments to repair the tooth. Many patients believe that the stick of the needle used to administer the medication is the most painful portion of the hole-filling procedure.

After the treatment, patients may experience an unusual sensation as a result of the novocaine. The injection site will be numb for 30 to 60 minutes. This includes the gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks. Because there is no feeling for a moment, some people describe the experience as if they were touching someone else's face rather than their own. Then, as the numbness wears off and the sensation returns, it may feel tingling, prickly, or itchy.

Even after the novocaine has worn off, a recently filled tooth may be sensitive to heat, cold, or biting down. In most situations, patients are back to normal the next day and able to eat and drink as they wish with no sensitivity or pain.

When to Seek Help for Tooth Sensitivity

While the majority of cavity fillings become less sensitive after a day or two, others may take up to two weeks to feel better. Even so, it may not be cause for concern. It may take longer to cure a cavity if it is deep or in an area where heavy chewing occurs. Sensitivity is to be expected during the healing process.

However, there are several factors that patients should be aware of. These symptoms could indicate that there is an issue that goes beyond normal sensitivity. 

• Extreme sensitivity that makes it difficult to eat or drink;
• Sharp or throbbing pain, similar to a toothache;
• Sensitivity or pain that worsens over time;
• Redness, discomfort, or a rash on the surrounding tissue;
• A sensation that the teeth do not fit together properly.

When any of these symptoms persist after the first few days, it is important to consult with the dentist straight away. They will either provide you with some cures to try or invite you to come in so they can inspect the filling. Dental fillings are used to relieve cavity discomfort. There is no need for a patient to tolerate the pain.

Managing Pain and Sensitivity After a Dental Filling

Everyone has a different idea of how long a cavity filling should be sensitive. If the procedure was performed recently, or if a patient is unsure whether they should be concerned about their level of sensitivity, there are a few things they can do before contacting the dentist.

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are the over-the-counter pain medications you can take;
• Use sensitive tooth toothpaste;
• Brush and floss gently;
• Try topical or oral analgesics;
• Avoid eating and drinking anything hot, cold, acidic, or sweet;
• Do not bite into ice or hard or chewy items like almonds or toffee;
• Avoid using tooth whitening products.

If these therapies do not relieve tooth sensitivity or discomfort within a few days or weeks, consult with a dentist. They will be able to identify the source of the discomfort and devise a solution.