Why Teeth Become Sensitive after Filling

Bumisuka.com – Why Teeth Become Sensitive after Filling. Dental fillings are a common way to deal with cavities. The dentist will fill the cavity or hole with a material such as amalgam or composite. Even though this is a simple routine procedure, many people still report that their teeth become sensitive after fillings.

Sensitivity after dental fillings is common and usually diminishes over time. In some cases, it will go away on its own within days or weeks, depending on the cause. However, call your dentist if you experience severe pain or if the discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or swelling.

Through this article, you will be invited to understand why teeth become sensitive after fillings, how to treat them, and when to see a dentist.

Causes of sensitive teeth after filling

Some temporary sensitivity after dental fillings is common. However, persistent or severe sensitivity after fillings may be due to other causes that need to be treated. Possible causes include:

1. Irritation of the nerves

Short-term tooth sensitivity after fillings usually occurs because the filling procedure has exacerbated or caused inflammation of the nerves inside the tooth.

The outer layers of the tooth, namely the enamel and cementum, usually protect the nerves from exposure. However, dental fillings, especially deep ones, can get close to the nerve endings and cause irritation and uncomfortable sensations.

As the nerve heals, the sensitivity will go away. This may take several days or weeks. After the nerve has fully healed, you shouldn’t feel any difference between the tooth that was filled and the other teeth.

2. Improper alignment of teeth

The dentist must ensure that the filling is aligned with the other teeth in the mouth.

Usually you will experience a little bit of sensitivity when biting in a few days after the dental filling procedure. This sensitivity will usually go away on its own.

However, if the patch is too high, it can cause extra pressure when biting. This can cause pain and sensitivity that is often more severe than after a typical filling procedure, according to the 2017 book CADTH Rapid Response Report: Summary With Critical Appraisal.

If you have severe sensitivity or have difficulty eating or bringing your teeth together, ask your dentist to check your bite. The dentist may decide to smooth the high point of the filling to fit the bite and relieve discomfort.

3. Pulpitis

Before filling a tooth, the dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth with a heat-releasing drill. In rare cases, this can cause inflamed tooth pulp, which is the connective tissue that forms the center of the tooth, causing pulpitis. If the dentist doesn’t remove all the decayed tissue, it can also lead to an infection in the pulp of the affected tooth. When this happens, you may notice swollen gums or pockets of pus near the teeth.

4. Allergic reactions

Some people may experience an allergic reaction to dental fillings. A scientific review in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2015 stated that amalgam is the most common filler that causes allergic reactions.

There is also the possibility of an allergic reaction to other materials involved in the procedure, such as the latex in dentist gloves.

5. Several types of tooth surfaces

You may also feel sore or sensitive from having two different surfaces in your mouth. For example, if one tooth has a gold crown, and the teeth above or below it have silver fillings, you may feel a strange sensation when they touch.

6. Referred pain

It is also common to feel a pain in the tooth around the affected tooth. This is caused by a phenomenon called referred pain, which involves feeling pain in an area other than the source of the pain.

Sensitive tooth triggers after filling

When you have sensitive teeth, you may notice that certain triggers cause temporary and uncomfortable sensations in the filled tooth or the area around it. It may feel like a cold shock or sudden pain that comes quickly and then goes away.

Possible triggers for tooth sensitivity after fillings include:

• Cold food or drink.
• Hot drink.
• Air hits the teeth, as when breathing through the mouth.
• Sweet food.
• Acidic foods and drinks, including fruit, juices and coffee.
• Bite while eating.

Handling

You can try these ways to help relieve sensitive teeth at home:

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Using a topical numbing ointment designed for the mouth.
• Brush your teeth with gentle, circular strokes over your teeth and gums.
• Avoiding toothpaste and whitening products which can worsen tooth sensitivity.
• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks.
• Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods, as this can remove more tooth enamel.

If tooth sensitivity does not improve within a few days after the tooth is filled, consult a dentist. Dentists need to rule out other possible causes of sensitivity that may not be associated with dental fillings.

Experiencing sensitive teeth after filling is nothing to worry about. These can usually be relieved with home remedies and desensitizing toothpastes. See a dentist if sensitivity worsens, has difficulty eating, or has other symptoms such as a toothache or fever.