Lingering tooth pain after filling? Here’s why

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Why does my toothache after filling?

Here are some common reasons why your tooth hurts after filling:

The type of filling material used

Some people are just naturally more sensitive to certain filling materials. Composite resin, for example, can make a tooth react to cold air, sweetness, or even a bit of pressure for a little while after the procedure. And then there's the rare but oddly memorable “zap” moment, galvanic shock, which happens when two different metals in nearby teeth touch. It sounds dramatic, but honestly, it's just a tiny electrical reaction.

The good news is that this kind of sensitivity usually fades as the tooth settles down and gets used to the new filling.

A bite that's slightly “off”

Sometimes the filling is just a little higher than your natural bite. You might not notice it right away, but your teeth definitely do. When your bite is uneven, the filled tooth takes more pressure every time you chew, and that pressure can cause soreness or sharp pain. A quick adjustment at the dentist usually fixes this immediately.

Nerve irritation from a deep cavity

The cavity goes pretty far down, the dentist has to clean right near the nerve, the pulp, and that area can get a bit irritated. It's basically your tooth's way of saying, “Okay… that was a lot. Give me a minute to recover.”

Pain from this kind of situation usually has a few quirks. It can feel a little sharper than normal sensitivity; it might show up randomly and then disappear again. The easiest way to picture it is like having a small bruise inside the tooth. It's tender for a bit, but it usually improves on its own.

Inflammation around the tooth

The drilling, cleaning, and shaping process can irritate not just the tooth but the surrounding tissues, including the periodontal ligament that holds your tooth in place.

When that ligament gets inflamed, you may feel:

This usually improves on its own as the tissue heals.

What to do if the sensitivity doesn't settle

If the pain in tooth after filling doesn't go away after a few days, there are some home remedies you can try to stop tooth pain at home:

Avoid extreme temperatures

Hot soup, icy drinks, and super-cold ice cream, all increase pain after tooth filling. Stick to mild, warm foods until things settle.

Steer clear of hard and sticky foods (just for a bit)

Give your filling a chance to settle in. For the first few days:

These foods can overload the tooth and make sensitivity worse.

Try an over-the-counter pain reliever

If the tooth is still feeling a bit angry, something simple like ibuprofen or paracetamol usually takes the edge off. It helps settle the inflammation, so things don't feel as sharp. Just stick to whatever dose the packaging recommends, nothing fancy.

Use a desensitizing toothpaste for a bit

Another small thing that genuinely helps is switching to a toothpaste made for sensitivity. It doesn't work like magic on day one, but with a few uses, it starts calming those zingers your tooth sends out when it touches something cold or sweet. Think of it as giving the nerve a little buffer while it settles.

Do a warm salt-water rinse

This one sounds almost too simple, but it works. Mix a bit of salt into warm water and swish it around gently. It's soothing, it helps with any irritation around the gums, and it can ease that “bruised” feeling the tooth sometimes has after a filling.

When is it time to call your dentist?

Here's when lingering pain crosses into “please get this checked” territory:

If pain lasts more than 1-2 weeks

Some sensitivity is normal, but pain that sticks around (or gets sharper) isn't something to ignore.

If you feel pain when biting down

This often means the filling is too high, and that's an easy, quick fix. A small adjustment can bring instant relief.

If the pain becomes worse over time

Pain that increases instead of calming is a red flag.

It can mean:

Signs of infection

If you notice:

…contact your dentist. These signs suggest the infection may have reached deeper tissues.

Looking ahead: Your smile after healing

Once the filled tooth settles, and it almost always does, you can get back to thinking about your bigger smile goals. Many people actually start their clear aligner journey after dealing with fillings because they want a healthier, straighter, more balanced bite moving forward.

A straighter bite distributes pressure evenly. And when pressure is even, your teeth are less likely to chip, wear down, or develop future sensitivity. That's where Caspersmile comes in.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my tooth pain go away after a filling? +

If the pain isn't improving after a week or two, it could be due to an uneven bite, lingering nerve irritation, or a filling that's too close to the nerve. In some cases, there may be deeper decay or inflammation that wasn't visible during the initial treatment. Persistent or worsening pain is a good reason to check back with your dentist.

How long should my tooth hurt after a filling? +

Most people feel mild sensitivity for a few days, and occasionally up to a week. It's usually triggered by cold, heat, air, or chewing. As long as the discomfort is gradually improving, it's considered normal.

How long does it take for a nerve to settle after a filling? +

If the cavity was deep, the nerve may take a little longer to calm down, anywhere from a few days to several weeks. As long as the pain becomes less intense over time, the nerve is healing properly.

How do you know if you have nerve damage after a filling? +

Signs may include sharp, lingering pain that doesn't improve, sensitivity that worsens instead of getting better, or pain that persists even when you're not chewing or drinking anything. Swelling or throbbing may also indicate deeper nerve involvement. A dentist can confirm whether the nerve is affected.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for toothache? +

The 3-3-3 rule suggests taking 3 (200 mg) tablets of ibuprofen every 3 hours for 3 days. It's a common short-term approach to manage inflammation-related tooth pain, but it's not a substitute for professional evaluation if the pain continues.

Is the dentist responsible for a failed filling? +

A filling may “fail” for different reasons, bite imbalance, material wear, deeper decay, or issues with the tooth itself. If a filling loosens, cracks, or continues to cause pain, it usually needs to be evaluated. Your dentist can determine whether the filling simply needs an adjustment, repair, or replacement.