Short answer: Pain and sensitivity to cold after a filling are common, especially with deep fillings, can last from a few days to a few weeks, and usually ease gradually. Pain when biting on a filled tooth, however, is most often caused by the filling sitting too high in the bite and can be corrected with a simple adjustment. Pain that starts on its own, throbs or wakes you up at night requires a visit to your dentist.
Repairing a decayed tooth with a filling is one of the most common treatments in dentistry. After getting up from the dental chair, though, some questions come to mind: When can I eat? Is this sensitivity normal? Why does it hurt when I bite down on the tooth? Pain after a filling is often temporary and expected; however, some symptoms may require an adjustment or further evaluation. In this article we cover what to keep in mind after a filling, how long sensitivity may last, and the causes of the "can't bite on my filled tooth" complaint.
When can you eat after a filling?
Tooth-colored composite fillings, the most commonly used type today, are hardened with a special light during the procedure, so the filling is ready for chewing as soon as it is finished. The real reason to wait before eating is therefore not the filling itself but the effect of the local anesthetic. Eating while still numb can lead to accidentally biting your lip, cheek or tongue and to burns. The numbness usually wears off within a few hours.
With amalgam (silver-colored) fillings, on the other hand, the material needs more time to reach full hardness; with these fillings, it is advisable not to chew hard foods on the filled side on the first day. If you are not sure which material was used, simply ask your dentist.
In the first days after a filling, you can follow these tips:
- Do not eat until the numbness wears off, and avoid very hot drinks.
- If you have sensitivity, limit very cold and very hot foods and drinks for a while.
- In the first days, try not to bite very hard foods (hard candy, ice, nuts in the shell) with the filled tooth.
- Brush and floss as usual; do not hesitate to clean the filled area.
- Coffee, tea and dark-colored drinks can stain the surface of a composite filling over time; regular brushing reduces this effect.
How long does sensitivity last after a filling?
In most cases, sensitivity after a filling eases within a few days; with deep fillings, it can continue for a few weeks while gradually lessening. The sensitivity usually takes the form of a twinge triggered by cold drinks, cold air or sweet foods that passes shortly after the trigger is removed.
There are several possible reasons for this sensitivity. While the decay is being removed, temporary irritation can occur in the tissues of the tooth close to the nerve. The deeper the decay, the closer the filling is to the nerve and the longer the tooth may take to settle. In composite fillings, the very slight shrinkage of the material as it hardens can also contribute to temporary sensitivity in some teeth. Mild tenderness lasting a day or two may also be felt where the anesthetic injection was given or in the gum touched by the instruments used during the filling.
Sensitivity that decreases over time is a good sign. Toothpastes designed for sensitive teeth can bring relief during this period. However, if the sensitivity increases instead of decreasing, or if the pain lasts a long time after the trigger is removed, you should let your dentist know.
Why does a filled tooth hurt when you bite down?
The most common reason for pain when pressing or biting on a filled tooth is that the filling sits slightly higher in the bite than the neighboring teeth. Because the mouth is numb during the filling, the patient cannot fully feel their bite; even a height of a tiny fraction of a millimeter can cause noticeable discomfort once the numbness wears off. A high filling puts extra load on the tooth with every bite and leads to inflammation-like tenderness in the connective tissue surrounding the tooth.
Other possible reasons for not being able to bite on a filled tooth include:
- A crack in the tooth: A cracked tooth can cause sudden, sharp pain when biting; it is especially telling when the pain increases as the biting force is released.
- Inflammation of the nerve tissue: With deep cavities, the nerve tissue of the tooth may already have been affected before the filling. In this case, the pain may over time begin to start on its own and last longer; root canal treatment may be needed.
- Irritation of the gum and neighboring tissues: With fillings placed between two teeth, the edge of the filling irritating the gum or food getting stuck between the teeth can cause sensitivity.
- Teeth clenching: In people who clench their teeth at night, sensitivity in a newly filled tooth may be felt more strongly.
Telling which of these causes applies requires an examination. Information such as when the pain started, in which situations it gets worse and how long it lasts gives the dentist important clues.
How can you tell if a filling is too high?
The most typical sign of a high filling is feeling that the filled tooth touches the opposing tooth before the other teeth when you close your mouth. Other signs include:
- Pain or a feeling of pressure in the filled tooth when biting or chewing
- The bite feeling "different" or "not fitting properly"
- Avoiding chewing on the filled side
- Sensitivity developing in the opposing tooth over time
- In some cases, a feeling of fatigue in the jaw muscles
Correcting a high filling is usually a short and simple procedure. Using a piece of articulating paper, the dentist identifies the point that makes contact too early in the bite and restores the balance by lightly smoothing the surface of the filling. In most cases no anesthetic is needed. Since leaving a high filling uncorrected for a long time can lead to lasting sensitivity in the tooth and even cracks in the filling or the tooth, waiting for it to resolve on its own is not recommended.
What can be done to make a filling last longer?
How long a filling lasts depends on its size, the tooth it is in, the material used, oral hygiene and chewing habits. Regular brushing and flossing are the most effective way to prevent new decay from forming at the edges of a filling. For people who clench or grind their teeth, wearing a night guard can reduce wear on fillings and teeth. Habits such as biting pens, opening bottle caps with your teeth or nail biting can also cause fillings to break. During regular checkups, the edges and surfaces of fillings are evaluated and small repairs can be made when needed. For your general questions about fillings and other treatments, you can visit our frequently asked questions page.
When should you see a dentist?
If any of the following occurs after a filling, it is advisable to book a follow-up appointment:
- Pain when biting or a feeling that the filled tooth makes contact too early
- Pain that starts on its own, throbs or wakes you up at night
- Pain that lasts a long time after drinking something hot
- Sensitivity that does not decrease or keeps increasing even after several weeks
- Swelling in the gum, a broken filling or a sharp edge you can feel with your tongue
These symptoms may indicate that things have gone beyond normal healing after a filling, and early evaluation often allows a simpler solution. At our polyclinic in Park Oran Ofis, next to Panora Mall, complaints after a filling are evaluated with a bite check and, if needed, an X-ray; simple causes such as a high filling are often corrected at the same appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Is sensitivity to cold normal after a filling?
Yes, sensitivity to cold is common, especially with deep fillings. In most cases this sensitivity gradually decreases within a few days to a few weeks. If the sensitivity increases or lasts a long time after the trigger is removed, you should see your dentist.
Does a high filling correct itself?
A high filling usually does not correct itself and can lead to ongoing sensitivity in the tooth. The dentist checks the bite and lightly adjusts the surface of the filling. This procedure is usually quick and does not require an anesthetic.
Can you brush your teeth after a filling?
Yes, you can brush and floss as usual even on the day the filling is placed. Simply be gentle until the numbness wears off. Keeping the filled area clean helps prevent new decay from forming at the edge of the filling.
Why might a filled tooth need root canal treatment?
If the decay is very deep, the nerve tissue of the tooth may have been affected before the filling. In that case, pain that starts on its own or lasts a long time may appear after the filling. After an examination and an X-ray, the dentist decides whether root canal treatment is necessary.
