TOOTH SENSITIVITY AFTER FILLING
If you are experiencing tooth pain that won’t go away, you may have a cavity. Cavities are common in kids and adults. If treated early on, a cavity can be easily addressed with a dental filling winston salem. If left untreated for a long period of time, a cavity can turn into a much more serious issue, including an infection that can kill your tooth. If a cavity gets to this point, it will typically need a root canal and in some cases, an extraction. If you suspect you have a cavity, get to your dentist as soon as you can so that the issue can be addressed.
What is the process of getting a filling?
The first thing that will happen when you get to the dentist is that your cavity will be assessed. If it is a candidate for a filling, your dentist will discuss the different materials that a filling can be made of. The most common materials are amalgam, composite resin, cast gold, ceramics. If you know that you have an allergy to any of the materials, make sure to tell your dentist right away, as this will help determine the type of filling that you get. The second step is to numb the area of the cavity. This is typically done through a local anesthetic or topical anesthetic. Once the area is numb, the dentist will clean and then fill the cavity.
What to expect after the filling
It is perfectly normal for your tooth to be a little sensitive after a filling. This sensitivity usually lasts for a few days following the procedure. Your tooth will be especially sensitive to hot and cold food, as well as air temperature and bite pressure. Swelling is also perfectly normal for a few days following the procedure. If the swelling lasts longer than a few days, it may indicate that you are having an allergic reaction to the filling.
Tooth sensitivity after a filling is easy to care for. You should avoid extremely hot and cold foods as this can irritate the sensitivity. You should also avoid extremely hard or chewy foods. Try as hard as you can to chew on the opposite side of your mouth as the filling. Slowly over time, you will begin to chew more and more on the side with the filling, but for starters just stick to the other side.
If you are having a lot of pain, try taking an over the counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil. This will usually take care of it. You may also want to try and use sensitive toothpaste. This type of toothpaste is designed to help with sensitivity and may do the trick.
If your sensitivity lasts longer than a few weeks, you should see your dentist right away. Long lasting sensitivity can be a sign that the tooth filling is not fit into the tooth properly or that it may have cracked. Prolonged sensitivity may also be a sign of an allergic reaction to the filling.
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