Signs you may need to return to your dentist after your tooth filling

Signs you may need to return to your dentist after your tooth filling

There are an estimated 8 million fillings carried out in the UK every year, making the procedure one of the most common services completed by dental professionals. Offering a solution to teeth impacted by cavities, fillings can differ in their impact on someone’s mouth based on a few factors, such as the size of the treatment and any pre-existing conditions like sensitivity.

Also, just like treatments like fitting dentures or teeth straightening, no matter how good the dentist is,s sometimes issues can arise. There are a wide range of reasons why patients can experience pain and problems after a tooth filling, with some resulting in the need to check back in with a dental professional. Knowing what signs to be aware of is important, as it will help you to decipher between expected pain and an indication that something may be wrong.

In this article, we will share a comprehensive list of the signs you should look for when considering if another dentist appointment is needed. Keep reading to find out what these are.

How long should it take for a tooth filling to heal?

Before you start to panic that a filling may not be healing as it should, it’s important to consider how long recovery is expected to take. Generally, it takes between two and four weeks for a dental filling site to heal completely, but this will differ slightly for each patient based on their current oral hygiene and the type of treatment they had.

You will also need to wait at least a couple of weeks, in the case of standard fillings, to return to a normal diet which includes hard, sticky and cold foods. Eating these items before the recommended time frame can lead to issues arising and the filling even moving out of position in the worst cases. Should you rush this and apply pressure to the tooth, the overall healing time will likely take much longer.

If you have passed this healing period or are experiencing extreme side effects before then, it is important to revisit your dentist as soon as possible. If you don’t, it could mean that other teeth are impacted, resulting in a need to have more work carried out.

How can you treat any discomfort from a new filling at home?

There are a few ways that you can treat the initial signs of discomfort from a new filling at home, just like when you have other treatments such as Invisalign or composite bonding. These are as follows:

• Use over-the-counter painkillers or Ibuprofen to reduce the impact of pain or swelling. You can also consult your dentist on what is best to take if you are unsure.
• Avoid any foods that are hard, sweet, hot, cold or sticky for a good amount of time. This reduces pressure on the treatment site and the chance of infection.
• Keep the area clean and focus on strong levels of oral hygiene to stop any bacteria from causing infections.
• Use warm compresses outside of the mouth on the face to alleviate any swelling or pain.
• Use medical-grade or good-quality mouthwash to keep the site clean between cleans. Your dentist can recommend the best solution.
• Try to not talk or chew as often to give the area time to heal without it being constantly in motion.
• Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth as well as a good quality toothbrush, such as an electric or bamboo model. Anything with soft bristles is best, as well as using flossing tools to remove any unwanted debris.

When may you need to return to the dentist after a new filling?

In some cases, no matter how well a patient cares for a new filling location, a return check-up may be the only option. Below, we have included the signs you need to be aware of as indicators that it’s time to book an appointment before things get worse.

Pain in or around the filling location

Some discomfort is normal, but if the pain continues to persist or gets worse, it’s a sign that something is not right. This can be felt in the tooth, gum, jaw and even the cheek, plus it can lead to headaches in some situations. It’s also common to experience some pain in other teeth as they are all connected, so any issues can run through other parts of the jaw. If this doesn’t decrease or spreads to more new locations, you should visit the dentist.

Sensitivity that doesn’t dull over time

Again, experiencing some sensitivity is completely normal after a filling treatment. However, if you still cannot handle an icy beverage or a hot bowl of soup even after a couple of weeks, you should get the new filling checked. It may mean that nerves are being exposed, which can be down to even the smallest of gaps between the filling and the tooth itself.

In some cases, this could mean that the effects of a cavity have spread, requiring further treatment such as a replacement filling or even a root canal.

Issues with the positioning of a filling

Another sign that you may need to return to the dentist after a filling is if the area is causing issues with your bite. The filling should sit flush with the tooth to which it has been added. If this is not the case, be sure to consult a dentist, as this could lead to wider oral health problems.

Furthermore, if you experience any issues with sharp edges to the filling material, you will also need to pop back to the dental office for the area to be smoothed down. If left, this could lead to damage to the tongue and also chip away at other teeth.

Infection or allergy reason

Finally, another reason you will need to make a follow-up appointment is if you think the filling has caused an infection or allergic reaction. Whilst both scenarios are not too common, they can arise as a filling, which is a foreign object being placed in someone’s mouth.

Signs to look for include prolonged redness or swelling to the area or other parts of the face, fluid leaking from near the area, a bad smell or even a general feeling of being unwell. When a filling is first completed, a dentist will assess your medical notes to see if this is likely to be a risk and take necessary precautions to prevent such problems. However, this is not always possible to predict, so it’s important to be aware of any new symptoms.

Why choose the Eye and Dental Clinic for tooth fillings?

If you are experiencing oral discomfort and require a filling, look no further than our services! We not only provide both silver and composite bonded fillings but also offer a full aftercare service should any of the problems listed in this article start to impact you. Side effects of having dental fillings can be a problem many experience, so don’t worry, as we will have the perfect solution for your issue.

As well as choosing our team for dental fillings, we also offer a wide selection of other services, including crowns, veneers, cosmetic whitening and dental implants, as well as general dentistry appointments. Our experienced team will also help you feel relaxed thanks to their patient care experience and our modern office environment. If you need a filling or support post-treatment with any of the signs we have listed above, please click the link to book an appointment. You can also view our dental price list so that you are completely aware of the costs that await you for treatments.

Should a new filling be causing prolonged pain or sensitivity, it’s important to get it looked at immediately. If you match any of the signs in this blog, please book an appointment now.

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