Dental fillings are perfect for stopping bacteria from spreading and contaminating the rest of your teeth. However, people often complain about an odd sense of discomfort after getting a filling. Whether it’s due to pressure in the tooth or a fleeting throbbing sensation, it is not always a cause for concern.
In fact, it’s pretty common to experience some degree of tooth sensitivity or pain after a filling. But the question is: how long does it last? Are you stuck with the uncomfortable feeling forever, or does it go away soon? To learn how long a tooth should hurt after a filling, keep reading.
Why is My Tooth Throbbing After a Filling?
It can be pretty jarring to feel your tooth throbbing after a filling. However, this happens because the tooth is completely sealed off. There is no way for your nervous or immune system to fend off and heal the affected area.
Once the filling is cured inside the tooth, it seemingly freezes, making it impossible for the body to send its fighter white blood cells to help combat the inflammation. It’s also why you are likely to see slight swelling or soreness around the newly-treated tooth.
How Long Should a Tooth Hurt After a Filling?
As common as it is to experience tooth sensitivity, it is not ideal for your tooth to hurt for more than two to four weeks after a filling. This, too, should be in terms of discomfort or sensitivity rather than excruciating pain.
Your diet also plays a major role, along with how well you take care of your oral hygiene. Neglecting oral health can worsen the pain of a fresh-filling.
Nonetheless, the pain is bound to subside with a little time and patience. Whether it’s a dull ache or a full-blown sensitivity attack, your tooth should not hurt for longer than four weeks. Instead, your oral health should have gone back to normal, completely healed.
Easing Tooth Sensitivity & Pain After Filling
The first step to ease tooth pain after filling is to use an ice compress to soothe the pain. You should also limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks. Although to make sure what the pain means, pay attention to when the discomfort arises.
Is it always there, slowly pulsing? Or does the pain shoot up when you bite down on something? Because if that is the case, your filling might need to be adjusted and trimmed.
In contrast, if the pain is due to the material of the filling, you may have to go through a redo of the procedure and get a different filling. All in all, consulting a dentist will help identify the problem point, leading to a treatment option that works best for you.
When To Visit a Dentist
Like any other intrusive dental procedure, getting a filling can leave your teeth sensitive. It’s common to feel like your tooth is throbbing or hurting after a filling. However, the pain should only last one to four weeks. Any longer than that requires medical attention.
For more information, feel free to contact Texas Premier Dental at (281) 206-0100. You can also visit our clinic at 13203 Fry Rd Ste 500, Cypress, TX 77433, located next to Texas Children’s Pediatrics.