Throbbing Tooth Pain After Filling
Is it possible that you have throbbing tooth pain after filling? If this is the case, your dentist would most likely advise you to have a tooth filling. A filling does typically not cause any problems and is considered safe; nevertheless, some patients report tooth discomfort or sensitivity after a few days or even months. You don’t have to be concerned since sensitive teeth aren’t a significant problem. Furthermore, the stiffness and suffering will subside in a few days.
If things aren’t typical and you experience throbbing tooth pain after filling, or if the sensitivity is accompanied by redness, fever, or inflammation, contact your dentist right once. Now you may have an idea about the most frequent causes of tooth sensitivity after a filling, as well as how to treat tooth discomfort and when to see a doctor or dentist. You’ll also learn about other possible reasons for tooth sensitivity.
What Is Dental Filling?

Dentists often employ dental fillings to cure cavities, which are microscopic holes in the enamel that, if left untreated, may lead to tooth disease. The dentist uses material like amalgam or composite to fill the holes during the filling procedure.
On the other hand, this is done after the dentist has cleaned the tooth of any decay. Even though this is a fundamental dental operation, many patients experience throbbing pain and sensitivity.
What Happens After A Dental Filling?
A dentist or hygienist cleans the tooth carefully to eliminate decay and any other debris before filling it with a filling substance during a dental filling. The injection of numbing medication around the afflicted tooth is the initial step in this surgery. The decaying tooth is then cleaned and filled with porcelain, amalgam, or other materials using a dental drill.
You may have numbness, itching, or tingling in your face for at least a few hours following the dental procedure. Aside from that, talking, eating, swallowing, and even moving your face may be difficult. After a filling, it is best to avoid meals and beverages for a few hours.
Because your mouth is numb, you may subconsciously bite your cheek or tongue, which may be painful. Your feelings will return as the anesthetic wears off. Due to the filling, the inside of your mouth may feel strange in the following days. After a dental filling, pain or sensitivity surrounding the filled-up tooth is fairly frequent and must be bravely dealt with.
Why Do I Have A Throbbing Tooth Pain After Filling?

A sense of pain or aching in a tooth with a filling provoked by particular stimuli is known as sensitivity. It’s similar to having a pain that comes and goes. Many factors might cause your teeth to pain after a filling.
- If your tooth becomes sensitive following a filling, eating popsicles, cold beverages, or ice cream might be painful.
- After a filling, temperature sensitivity might make it difficult for your teeth to tolerate hot liquids. Additionally, drinking tea or coffee may induce severe agony.
- The airstrikes your teeth when you breathe through your mouth; regrettably, this may be uncomfortable at times, mainly when the air is cold.
- Sugary meals might also irritate your teeth.
- Acidic drinks and meals are not suitable for your teeth.
- Biting down may be a painful experience at times.
What Are The Causes Of Throbbing Pain And Sensitivity After A Dental Filling?
Sensitive teeth after a filling aren’t something that happens. Furthermore, they improve with time. However, pain after a dental filling may occur for various reasons, needing immediate care. These are some of the causes why your teeth may be aching after a filling, as well as when you should see a dentist.
Nerve Irritation
Short-term nerve sensitivity may occur because the filling has inflamed a nerve or induced inflammation in the nerve within the tooth. And also, the enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth structure, followed by the dentine, and finally, the pulp, which includes nerve endings. The filling may sometimes go too near to the nerve ending, causing discomfort. The throbbing pain and sensitivity will gradually fade as the tooth recovers.
Incorrect Bite
The dentist must ensure that the filling is aligned with the rest of the mouth’s teeth. While a tooth is taller than the rest, it might put more pressure on the other teeth when biting down. This might result in significant sensitivity and discomfort. It’s normal to have some discomfort and sensitivity while biting down but schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately soon if the pain is excessive.
Normal Pain After A Filling
It’s typical to have some little pain and discomfort following a filling, particularly in the first few hours. As the local anesthetic wears off, you can anticipate to tingle and maybe twitch. If the discomfort does not subside within a few hours, there may be a problem with the treatment. And, your pain may go away for a while and then return. This might indicate that the degradation surrounding the filling is still there or that the hole was more significant than initially assumed.
Following the filling, the filled tooth and the surrounding region may be sensitive to hot and cold beverages. This sensitivity might last anywhere from a day to a week. It usually causes intense discomfort in the filling’s sensitive location. If the pain persists after the first shock or the sensitivity continues after a week, it may indicate a problem with the filling.
What About Severe Pain After A Filling?
Patients may have chronic, acute discomfort following a filling; however, this is uncommon. A toothache-like throbbing sensation might indicate that the tooth’s pulp has been injured. However, people may have various types of discomfort following a filling. When you have pain during chewing, it typically signifies that the filling produces a biting difficulty. In some cases, the discomfort is worse at night. This is supposed to be because blood rushes to the head when lying down.
The presence of lingering soreness might suggest a problem with the filling. Especially, the tooth may be in worse shape than the dentist first believed. It may be essential to do more comprehensive work to fix it. Alternatively, dentists may inadvertently harm surrounding teeth when filling the primary tooth, resulting in significant discomfort.
Getting Rid Of Pain After A Filling
Even while fillings are a regular treatment, they do have the potential to cause issues. There are a few things that patients may do to help alleviate the discomfort of a filling. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are two over-the-counter pain medications that may aid. Or try a cold compress. After that, be cautious about what you eat and drink. The most fantastic strategy is to avoid cavities altogether. Oral hygiene may help lower the risk of tooth decay and its discomfort.
If the pain from the filling is significant and the home cures suggested above aren’t working, people should see their dentist. The dentist may next redo the filling or seek alternative treatment options for the underlying issues causing the discomfort. If you’re in excruciating pain following a filling, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon for a filling to cause tooth sensitivity. Pressure, air, sugary foods, and temperature may irritate a tooth. And also, the sensitivity usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. Avoid the items that are creating sensitivity throughout this period. In most cases, pain medications are not necessary. So, see your dentist if the sensitivity does not go away after two to four weeks, or your tooth is susceptible.