Some sensitivity after a filling is common and usually settles within a few days or weeks. Contact your dentist promptly if you have severe or worsening pain, or discomfort with fever, redness or swelling.
What to expect after a filling
A filling repairs a tooth by removing decay and replacing the damaged area with a suitable material, such as composite resin. Local anaesthetic may leave your lip, cheek or tongue numb for a few hours.
Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions and avoid chewing while your mouth is numb so you do not accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. Avoid hot drinks until sensation returns.
Once the numbness wears off, you may notice sensitivity in the filled tooth or the surrounding area as it settles.
What triggers the sensitivity
Sensitivity often feels like a short, sharp twinge that comes on with a trigger and fades afterwards. Common triggers include:
- Cold food or drinks: ice cream or drinks with ice.
- Hot drinks: coffee, tea or hot soups.
- Air on the tooth: breathing through your mouth, especially in cold weather.
- Sugary foods: sweets, chocolate and high-sugar snacks.
- Acidic foods: fruit and fruit juice.
- Biting pressure: discomfort when chewing or biting down. A filling that feels too high should be checked by your dentist.
Why fillings cause tooth sensitivity
Short-term sensitivity can occur because treatment irritates the pulp, the tissue containing nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. Deeper fillings sit closer to the pulp and may take longer to settle.
Mild sensitivity should gradually improve. Pain when biting may mean the filling is affecting your bite and needs an adjustment. Persistent or worsening pain can have other causes, such as deeper inflammation or a crack, and needs a dental assessment.
Do not wait for several weeks if the pain is severe, worsening, lingering after hot or cold drinks, or disturbing your sleep.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about discomfort and sensitivity after a filling.
Is it normal for a tooth to hurt after a filling?
Mild, short-term sensitivity is common after a filling. It can happen because treatment temporarily irritates the tissue inside the tooth. The discomfort should improve rather than get worse.
How long should sensitivity after a filling last?
Mild sensitivity often improves within a week or two, although some teeth take a few weeks to settle. Contact your dentist if it is not improving, lasts longer than expected or interferes with eating. Do not wait if the pain is severe or worsening.
When should I call the dentist?
Contact your dentist promptly for severe or worsening pain, pain that wakes you at night, a bite that feels too high, or discomfort with fever, swelling, red gums or a bad taste. Seek emergency medical help if swelling affects your breathing, swallowing or speaking, or spreads towards your eye or neck.
What does sensitivity after a filling feel like?
It may feel like a brief, sharp twinge triggered by hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods, cold air or biting. Pain that lingers, throbs or happens without a trigger should be assessed.
Why do fillings cause sensitivity?
The procedure can temporarily irritate the pulp inside the tooth, particularly when decay was deep. The tooth may settle as the irritation eases, but ongoing pain needs a check to identify the cause.
What can I do to relieve filling sensitivity at home?
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Avoid foods and drinks that trigger discomfort and chew gently on the other side for a short time. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions. Ask your pharmacist about suitable pain relief if needed.
Could the filling itself be the problem?
Sometimes. A filling that is slightly too high can put extra pressure on the tooth when you bite. A loose or damaged filling, a crack or another tooth can also cause discomfort. Your dentist can check the bite and decide whether an adjustment or other treatment is needed.
Further reading: Dental fillings (Cleveland Clinic) and Toothache (NHS).
Pain that won’t settle? Get it checked.
Contact our team to arrange an assessment and find out what is causing the discomfort. You can also explore our composite fillings and emergency dental care.