The dentist repaired your deteriorating tooth which was causing you pain or sensitivity and now the dental filling may be creating more discomfort.  While the issue is no longer the cavity itself, the filling procedure and new material often result in sore teeth.  If you find your mouth is sore or you have pain, there are often a few core factors at play.

Primarily, the principle reason for your mouth to feel achy is general tooth sensitivity from the cavity removal and your dentist replacing the decay and resulting void with a filling.  More than likely, your tooth will feel the temperature of your food and drink more easily; coffee and ice cream will generate more pronounced sensations on the filled tooth versus the surrounding teeth.  This discomfort can easily be avoided by consuming food and drink of less extreme temperatures.  Also, the pressure generated by your jaw while chewing could create additional irritation in your mouth.  Simply chewing on the opposite side of your mouth or using different teeth and refraining from using the newly filled tooth can help you adjust to the changes.  You could even opt to switch to a sensitive toothpaste should you find that the cold morning air or a gulp of ice water is too troublesome to tolerate.

Secondly, should the filling fit the drilled cavity awkwardly or the filling itself fracture, you will most certainly be alerted to this painfully.  The filling itself, depending on the material, may end up being too small and allow food and liquids to seep into the drilled hole and irritate the nerve in the tooth.  Also, the filling may be too large and create pressure on the tooth or the adjacent teeth.  Either one of these sizing issues should be noticeable in the days and weeks following the procedure.  Only your dentist can make the proper adjustments should the filling be the incorrect size so be sure to make a follow up appointment.  If you have felt a crunch, heard a sound when chewing with the filling, or see a change in the filling’s appearance after it has been in place, it is time to make a follow up appointment with your dentist.  The purpose of the filling is to remove the pain from the tooth decay, prevent your tooth from worsening and allow you to be free of pain.

Thirdly, you may be experiencing pain or swelling from an allergic reaction to the materials used for the filling itself.  When discussing your medical and dental history with your dentist, it is important to share candidly and openly any adverse reactions to previous medications or treatments to prevent problems arising.  But even with a thorough background, you and your dentist may not be able to avoid an allergic reaction.  The primary symptoms you will experience will be swelling around the tooth, pain near the exposed nerve area, and even itchy sensations around and in your mouth.  Only your dentist can properly diagnose and treat the allergic reaction so be sure to follow up quickly.

Finally, the actual procedure of drilling on the tooth and applying a filling can often cause sore teeth the following day or even days.  Taking care to switch to foods that are easier to chew and smoother in texture can help minimize your sharp pain from chewing or biting; even trying to keep the temperature of the food or drink more room temperature will help you be most comfortable.  While your mouth and teeth are adjusting to the new filling, sensitive tooth paste, soft dental floss and gentle toothbrushes are great options to keep your at home dental care from having to suffer.

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