Experiencing tooth pain after a filling can be frustrating, especially after you thought your dental woes were resolved. So, if you are wondering how to relieve tooth pain after filling, you are not alone. This discomfort can occur for a variety of reasons. However, there are solutions to bring you relief.

Whether it is due to sensitivity, allergic reactions, or other dental complications, understanding the root cause is key to finding relief.

What Causes Tooth Pain After Filling?

The process of drilling into the tooth to remove decay can sometimes irritate the nerve endings. As a result, your tooth may react strongly to temperature changes or pressure, leading to sharp pain when you eat something hot or cold.

Jose / Unsplash / Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common reasons for pain after a filling.

This sensitivity is usually temporary and should decrease within a few weeks. However, if the pain persists or worsens, it may indicate that the filling material is not well-suited to your tooth or that the decay was close to the nerve, leading to prolonged discomfort.

Allergic Reactions & Infection

In some cases, tooth pain after a filling can be caused by an allergic reaction to the material used in the filling. Silver amalgam, which contains small amounts of mercury, has been known to trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. The symptoms can include itching, rashes, or persistent discomfort in the filled tooth.

Another cause of tooth pain after filling can be an underlying infection. If the decay was not entirely removed or if bacteria managed to seep into the tooth during the procedure, an infection could develop. This can result in a throbbing or persistent pain that does not subside with time.

How to Relieve Tooth Pain After Filling

One potential solution to tooth pain after filling is to consider switching to a different type of filling material. Composite resin or porcelain fillings are often less likely to cause sensitivity compared to metal-based fillings like silver amalgam. These materials are more compatible with the natural tooth structure and don’t conduct heat or cold as much, which can reduce the likelihood of experiencing sharp pain from temperature changes.

If you have a metal filling and continue to experience pain, talk to your dentist about whether switching to a different material would be beneficial. They can assess your specific situation and determine if this could help reduce your discomfort.

Avoid Too Hot or Too Cold Foods Temporarily

Olly / Pexels / If you are experiencing referred pain, it is crucial to let your dentist know. They may need to check the surrounding teeth to ensure there is no other issue that needs attention.

Immediately after getting a filling, your tooth is likely to be extra sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. This can exacerbate the pain, especially if you are already dealing with some post-filling sensitivity.

To minimize discomfort, avoiding hot coffee, ice cream, and anything else that can trigger a sharp reaction in the affected tooth is a good idea.

Address Referred Pain in Other Teeth

How to relieve tooth pain after filling, you ask? Sometimes, tooth pain after a filling doesn’t even originate from the filled tooth. It can spread to neighboring teeth, a phenomenon known as referred pain. This type of pain happens when the nerves around the filled tooth transmit signals to nearby teeth. Thus, making it feel like they are also hurting.

In most cases, referred pain subsides on its own, but your dentist can provide additional guidance if it persists.

However, tooth pain after a filling is often temporary. In many cases, simply giving it time is the best solution. Your tooth has undergone a procedure that may have irritated the nerves, and it can take a few days to weeks for things to settle down. Be patient, and try to avoid putting too much pressure on the tooth while it heals.