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Things Your Dentist May Not Tell You after a Dental Filling

A dental filling is a common procedure to treat a cavity, but many patients may experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort afterwards. After a dental filling, taking care of your mouth and watching for any signs of discomfort is important. Our dentists recommend avoiding chewing hard foods, sticky sweets, and hot or cold drinks for at least 24 hours after filling. 

If you’re experiencing pain or sensitivity, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress on your cheek. Please call our office to book a follow-up if the pain persists. But before your visit, remember these to prevent more serious oral concerns.

Post-Filling Pain

If you have a new dental filling that is causing you pain, it may be because the filling is too high. This can happen as you move your jaw, speak, or chew. If the filling happens to be higher than the rest of your pearly whites, it is at a higher risk of cracking. Contact your dentist to have the filling smoothed or reshaped.

Adjacent Tooth Pain

After you get a dental filling, you may feel pain in the teeth next to the tooth that got the filling. This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your teeth. The tooth with the new filling is probably just sending signals to the nearby teeth. The pain should go away in one to two weeks.

If you experience any toothache-like symptoms after your new dental filling, it could be a sign that decay has reached the tooth’s pulp. If this is the case, you could require a root canal, so call your dentist if you think this may be a concern.

Post-Filling Sensitivity

The dental filling may cause increased sensitivity to cold or hot food and air for up to three weeks. You may also feel increased sensitivity from the pressure of biting with the new dental filling, particularly if the filling covers a deeper cavity. 

To avoid this problem after a filling, start brushing with a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. We also recommend avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks. For the first few weeks, try chewing your food on the other side of your mouth. Please contact our dentist’s office if the sensitivity does not go away after two weeks.

Sharp Pain in the Actual Filling

After your new filling is put in, you may notice that it is not as comfortable as it was when you were in the dentist’s chair. This is because your jaw is moving, and the anesthetic is wearing off. You may also notice that the filling is too high or that some sharp edges need to be smoothed. Contact your dentist for a quick follow-up so that they can address the problem.

Addressing Cavities

If your teeth are sensitive after getting a dental filling, talk to your dentist about other types of fillings. Each patient reacts differently to various types of metal fillings. Your dentist can also take extra preventive measures, like using a base, liner, or desensitizing agent.

Learn All about These on the First Visit at Weymouth Dental Arts

At Weymouth Dental Arts, we don’t let our patients discover these problems post-op. We supply them with necessary dental fillings while providing all necessary information for optimal post-dental filling care. Book your appointment with a dentist in Weymouth, MA, and learn more about fillings on our website!

How You Can Determine What Dental Emergencies Are

There are a few different scenarios that would generally be considered dental emergencies. If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, are experiencing a severe toothache, have a large amount of swelling in your mouth or face, or have a cut or laceration on your tongue, gums, or cheek, you should seek emergency dental care right away.

But what constitutes one, and how do you determine them?

First, Ask Yourself These Questions

• Am I experiencing severe pain or heavy bleeding? This may signify a more serious condition, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
• Is there an infection in my mouth? If you feel you have or spot an abscess or serious infection, you should seek treatment immediately, as it could be life-threatening.
• Do I have a lost tooth? It’s important to seek treatment quickly. There is a possibility the tooth can be saved if you receive treatment soonest. If you do, see a dentist right away. Adults should never lose teeth, so a loose tooth is a serious problem. Even if you’re not in pain, you need to have it checked out.

Then, Pay Attention to These Most Common Signs

• Sudden toothaches: Your teeth are important for more than just aesthetics. They are integral for proper chewing and digesting food, speaking clearly, and maintaining good oral health. When you have a toothache, it can quickly disrupt your daily life and routine.

  While there are many potential causes of tooth pain, it is important to seek professional dental care as soon as possible to ensure that the issue is properly diagnosed and treated. Emergency dental care can help you get relief from your toothache and get your life back to normal.

• Gum problems: If your gums are bleeding for no reason or while brushing them, it’s a good idea to see your dentist. They can determine if there’s an underlying issue causing the bleeding.

• Swelling in the mouth or jaw: If your mouth or jaw suddenly becomes swollen for no apparent reason, you should visit an emergency dentist for immediate treatment. An infection, irritation to your lymph nodes, or some other factor may be causing the swelling, and professional dental care is necessary.

• Exposed nerves: Exposed nerves are extremely painful and can lead to infection, further nerve damage, or serious dental problems. Seek dental help immediately.

• A knocked-out tooth: If you have pearly whites that have been knocked out of the gumline, it’s important to take quick action. If you see a dentist right away, they may be able to reinsert and preserve them.

• Missing filling(s): If you have a missing tooth filling, it’s important to call your dentist right away. Without the filling, your tooth is at risk of breaking, chipping, and exposing the nerves. This can lead to other dental issues that require immediate treatment.

• Damaged crowns: If your dental crown falls off or breaks, it’s important to schedule an emergency dental visit to replace it. Without a dental crown, your tooth is exposed and vulnerable to infection and damage.

Get a Dentist from Weymouth to Solve All These and More

If you’re unsure about dental emergencies, you can drop by Weymouth Dental Arts immediately! We’re a clinic that provides customized dental care to patients of all ages. Book your appointment through our website!