Do Dental Fillings Hurt? – All You Need To Know

If you are feeling anxious about getting dental fillings, you’re not alone. Many people are nervous and apprehensive about having cavities or holes in their teeth filled. Fear of pain is the most common reason for avoiding the dentist. Therefore, it’s only natural to ask the question: do dental fillings hurt? 

When you have cavities in your teeth your dentist will typically recommend a filling. Tooth fillings are materials such as silver amalgam, porcelain and composite resin that are designed to repair damaged and weakened teeth and restore their chewing function. You may be in pain when you enter the dental practice but once you have been anaesthetised and during the tooth filling procedure you shouldn't feel a thing. 

Tooth fillings protect your teeth from further decay and improve the overall health of the oral environment. They do not make it worse. So, do dental fillings hurt? You may experience some soreness or discomfort for a few days following the procedure, which will fade, but the tooth fillings shouldn't cause significant pain. 

Fillings come to the rescue. They are performed to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by cavities which can become bigger and even more painful if left untreated.  

You see, these holes are idyllic places for bacteria to grow and thrive. As they do, they reach deeper into the tooth and eventually work their way down to the dentine, a sensitive layer that covers the pulp. As the tooth continues its decay into the pulp, it reaches nerve areas which can be very painful. This is because the microbes cause swelling, which can put pressure on the tooth's root. Dental fillings can prevent further damage that could result in root canal work or extraction.

If you are avoiding having dental fillings because of concerns about pain, there is nothing to be worried about. Take a deep breath and read on. 

To prevent you from feeling any pain during your dental fillings procedure, your dentist will administer a numbing agent or anaesthetic around the tooth. They are skilled at doing this, and at most, the injection will feel like a tiny pinprick. If you’re feeling incredibly anxious, some dentists will offer to sedate you. 

Once the area around the tooth is entirely numb, you won't feel anything as the dentist cleans out the decayed area of your tooth and applies the dental fillings material. 

The numbing agent/anaesthetic will take a few hours to wear off. Your face may feel tingly, itchy or puffy during this time, and you may have some difficulty talking. Sometimes, dentists will recommend you don’t eat anything for a few hours after your treatment in case you accidentally bite your tongue or cheek. 

After a dental fillings procedure, you may experience some jaw pain or discomfort, but this is primarily due to having had to hold your jaw open while the dentist worked their magic. 

Some people might feel discomfort or tooth sensitivity for a week or more. It will probably feel like a cold shock or sharp pain that quickly goes away. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Tooth sensitivity may be because the cavity was close to the tooth's root, or it could be due to inflammation of nerves inside the tooth after the tooth fillings procedure. 

Factors that can trigger tooth sensitivity after dental fillings include: 

• Cold food and drinks such as ice cream and any beverage with ice 
• Hot drinks such as tea and coffee 
• Sugary foods such as sweets 
• Acidic food and drinks including fruit and juice 
• Air hitting the tooth

As the nerves start to heal the sensitivity should go away. However, if you find the pain is worsening, contact your dentist immediately. It may be that your filling is too high in your mouth. Therefore, the dentist will adjust the filling, so it’s a better fit. 

Another possible cause of tooth sensitivity is pulpitis, an inflammation of the pulp deep within the tooth. Although not a regular occurrence with tooth fillings, it may occur if the cavity was so deep it reached the inner pulp layer or the tooth had previously undergone lots of procedures. 

Depending on your circumstances, your dentist may recommend a desensitising toothpaste that will work immediately. These products contain potassium nitrate that reduces activity levels of dental sensory nerves, thereby reducing the volume of sensation signals that reach the brain. 

Are you still worried about the tooth fillings procedure and asking yourself do dental fillings hurt? If so, book an online appointment with the Riverlands Dental team or call us at (02) 4501 7930 today. 

We will be happy to explain the tooth fillings procedure and will answer any questions you may have about dental fillings to put your mind at ease. Don’t neglect your dental health because of your fears. We are here to help you.