Why Does My Tooth Hurt After a Filling?

Some sensitivity after a filling is common, and it usually fades on its own within a few days to a couple of weeks. The tooth has just had work done on it, and the nerve inside can stay irritated for a short while as it settles. Pain that is getting better is generally a good sign, while pain that is getting worse or that lingers needs a closer look.

What’s normal

It is normal for a filled tooth to feel sensitive to cold drinks, hot foods, or sweet things for a short time after the appointment. You may also notice a mild ache when you bite down, or a feeling that the tooth is simply aware of itself in a way it was not before.

This happens because placing a filling involves removing decayed tooth material and shaping the tooth, which can temporarily irritate the nerve inside. Deeper fillings tend to cause more sensitivity than shallow ones, simply because the work was closer to the nerve. For most people, this sensitivity eases a little each day and then goes away.

A new filling can also feel slightly high or different when you bite. Your bite may need a small adjustment once the numbing wears off and you can feel how your teeth meet normally. That is a quick fix at the office and is worth mentioning rather than waiting it out.

What’s not normal

Call sooner if the pain is getting worse after the first few days instead of better, or if it is sharp and throbbing rather than a mild ache or sensitivity. Pain that wakes you up at night, or that comes on by itself without hot, cold, or biting to trigger it, is also worth checking.

Other signs to watch for are sensitivity to hot foods that lingers long after you stop eating or drinking, swelling around the tooth or gum, a bad taste in your mouth, or pain that spreads to your jaw or ear. A filling that feels cracked, rough, or partly missing should be looked at as well, since a damaged filling can leave the tooth unprotected.

If a tooth stays sensitive for more than a few weeks, it should be checked to rule out a bite problem, a crack, or irritation that is not settling.

What to do at home

For mild sensitivity, give the tooth time and avoid testing it. Eat on the opposite side for a day or two if biting is uncomfortable, and go easy on very hot, very cold, or very sweet foods while it settles.

Brush and floss normally around the tooth, but be gentle with the gum if it is still tender from the appointment. Over-the-counter pain relief, used as directed on the package, can help with a mild ache in the first day or two. Avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or sticky candy on the filled tooth until it feels normal again.

Do not try to file down a filling yourself or adjust how your teeth meet at home. If your bite feels off once the numbing has worn off, the office can adjust it in a few minutes, and that small correction often resolves the discomfort.

Note what triggers the pain and how long it lasts. Sensitivity that fades within seconds of the trigger is usually different from pain that lingers for minutes afterward, and that detail helps the dentist figure out what is going on.

When to call the dentist

Call the same day if the pain is severe, throbbing, or waking you up, if you have swelling, or if the filling feels cracked or missing. Call within a day or two if your bite still feels high after the numbing has worn off, if sensitivity has not improved after a couple of weeks, or if you are unsure whether what you feel is normal.

It is always better to describe what you are feeling than to wait and hope it settles. A quick check can rule out a simple fix like a bite adjustment, and catch a problem early if the tooth needs further treatment.

If you had your filling placed at Murphy Dental & Implant Center and the tooth is still bothering you, you can call the office at (972) 836-0108 and describe what you feel and when it started. The team can let you know whether it sounds like normal settling or whether you should come in to have the tooth checked.

This post is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are in pain or worried about your tooth, contact your dentist directly.

Frequently asked questions

How long should sensitivity last after a filling?

For most people, mild sensitivity fades within a few days to a couple of weeks. Deeper fillings can take a bit longer. If sensitivity is not improving after two weeks, or if it is getting worse, have the tooth checked.

Is it normal for a filling to feel high when I bite?

It can feel that way at first, especially while you are still numb. Once the numbing wears off, your bite should feel normal. If one tooth still hits first or feels too tall when you close, the office can adjust the filling quickly.

What if my tooth hurts when I bite down but not otherwise?

Pain only when biting can point to a bite that needs adjusting, a crack in the tooth, or irritation under the filling. If it does not settle within a few days, call the office so the tooth can be examined rather than guessing at the cause.