What to Expect After a Dental Filling

It is normal to notice some changes in how your tooth feels after a filling. Common experiences include:

• Mild Sensitivity – Your tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold, sweet foods, or when you bite. This may last a few days to a few weeks.

• Tenderness When Biting – Occasionally the filling may feel slightly “high.” If this does not improve after a few days, your dentist can adjust it.

• Gum Soreness – The gums around the tooth may feel tender for a short time but usually heal quickly.

• Persistent or Throbbing Pain – If pain continues, especially if it wakes you up at night, contact your dentist. This can mean that the nerve inside the tooth needs more treatment.

  
  

Why Your Tooth Might Feel Sensitive

When a cavity is cleaned out and filled, the nerve inside your tooth (called the pulp) can become irritated. In most cases, this irritation is temporary and the tooth heals on its own.

Two Types of Nerve Reactions

Healthy Reaction (Reversible Pulpitis)	When the Nerve Cannot Heal (Irreversible Pulpitis)
Tooth is sensitive only when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet	Tooth hurts on its own, even without eating or drinking
Discomfort stops quickly once the trigger is gone	Pain lingers for minutes or feels throbbing
Usually improves after a filling	Usually requires additional treatment such as a root canal

Why You May Not Have Felt Pain Before the Filling

• The nerve inside the tooth can adapt to irritation for a long time.

• Cavite and fractures can be silent and grow slowly without causing noticeable pain

• Sometimes the nerve is already partially damaged and unable to send strong pain signals until after treatment.

  
  

Reach out to our office if you have experience with these symptoms:

• Pain that lasts longer than 2 weeks.

• Pain that wakes you up at night.

• Increasing sensitivity and/or swelling.

• A filling that feels thick when you bite down.