A dental filling is a common procedure designed to repair a tooth damaged by decay or a minor fracture. Once the decayed material is removed, the space is sealed with a restorative material like composite resin or amalgam. Experiencing pain or discomfort in the days following this treatment is frequent. Understanding the source of this post-procedure soreness and how long it should last helps determine if recovery is progressing as expected.
Why Your Tooth and Gums May Be Sore
The discomfort felt after a filling is typically a direct result of the work performed inside and around the tooth. One immediate source of soreness is the area where the local anesthetic injection was administered. This site can feel bruised or tender for a day or two due to the physical penetration of the needle.
The soft tissues surrounding the filled tooth may also become irritated from the tools used during the procedure. Dentists often use a dental dam to isolate the tooth and keep it dry; the clamps holding this dam can temporarily pinch or irritate the gum tissue. Instruments used to clean the cavity and place the filling material can also cause minor trauma to the gingival margin.
A common reaction is sensitivity to temperature, felt as a sharp, brief pain when exposed to hot or cold foods. This occurs because the drilling process can temporarily inflame the dental pulp, the innermost part of the tooth containing the nerves. This temporary irritation, known as pulpitis, causes the nerve endings to be hyper-reactive to thermal changes.
Discomfort when biting down is frequently caused by a filling that is slightly too high. This “high bite” causes the filled tooth to hit the opposing tooth prematurely, placing excessive pressure on the tooth when chewing. While this pressure sensitivity is normal initially, it should not be severe or cause intense pain with every bite.
How Long Should the Discomfort Last?
Most general soreness and minor discomfort, such as injection site tenderness or gum irritation, is short-lived. These symptoms usually resolve completely within one to three days following the appointment. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can manage this initial, mild discomfort as the soft tissues heal.
Temperature sensitivity generally fades as the tooth’s nerve calms down after the procedure. For most patients, sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli subsides within a few days to one week. If the initial cavity was deep or the filling was large, this heightened sensitivity can occasionally linger for up to two to four weeks.
Normal temperature sensitivity should be quick and fleeting, disappearing almost immediately after the stimulus is removed. To aid in recovery, avoid chewing directly on the new filling for the first 24 to 48 hours and stick to a softer diet. If you experience minor pressure sensitivity when eating, temporarily favoring the other side of your mouth can prevent further irritation and allow the area to settle.
When to Call Your Dentist
While some degree of pain is expected, certain symptoms are considered red flags that require a prompt follow-up with your dentist. The most concerning sign is pain that is severe, throbbing, or does not improve over the expected recovery timeline. If your discomfort is worsening after the first few days, or persists without fading after two to four weeks, it suggests an underlying problem.
A sharp, shooting pain that occurs spontaneously, without being triggered by hot, cold, or chewing, is a reason to call your dentist. Spontaneous pain, especially if it wakes you up at night, can indicate that the pulp is inflamed beyond its ability to heal naturally. Signs of a potential infection, such as fever, noticeable swelling in the gum tissue or face, or a foul taste, also necessitate immediate attention.
If the filling feels significantly too high, causing intense pain every time you attempt to bite down, contact your dentist for an adjustment. This situation, often called occlusal trauma, is usually a simple fix. Delaying the adjustment can damage the tooth or lead to persistent jaw pain, while a quick adjustment can immediately relieve this pressure-related discomfort.