Many patients wonder, ‘Why does my filling hurt after months?’
When decay and injury cause painful symptoms, tooth filling comes to the rescue and alleviates your discomfort. So when you experience tooth pain months after the procedure, it could be concerning. In this blog, we will mention why you may have teeth sensitivity months after filling. Carry on reading to learn the reasons.
Reasons Why You Have Tooth Sensitivity Months After Filling
Multiple factors could be responsible for your tooth pain months or weeks after filling. It is normal to experience sensitivity weeks for one or two days after the procedure. However, pain months or weeks after filling requires immediate dental attention.
Here are a few reasons why your filling might hurt after months:
1. Infection
You can develop an infection in the filling tooth. Therefore, if you have throbbing tooth pain and other symptoms, you might have developed an oral infection.
2. Wear and tear
Your tooth might be experiencing sensitivity months after a filling due to wear and tear. Gaps appear between the tooth and the dental filling over time, allowing bacteria to invade the tooth. Consequently, your tooth could be affected by further decay and infection.
3. Cracks or fractures
Do you have a habit of grinding your teeth? Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding along with clenching can form cracks in the filling.
4. Leaking filling
Sometimes, the dental filling is not properly sealed. This gives bacteria and saliva the opportunity to enter the tooth, causing decay or infection.
Your filling might start hurting after months when you bite down or chew. This is especially true if your dental filling has come loose or fallen out. If you experience this, then you could have a failed filling. Therefore, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to have the filling replaced.
5. Allergic reaction
Allergic reaction to the material is one of the reasons why fillings may hurt after months. Allergy to metals used in amalgam fillings or the resin used in composite fillings is more common than you might think.
Pain, swelling, and redness around the affected tooth are some signs of an allergic reaction. If you suspect an infection, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
6. Tooth Decay
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial in all circumstances, but if you’re not careful after receiving a filling, it could lead to tooth decay. Your filling tooth can get decayed, causing pain and sensitivity if it reaches the inner layers of the tooth. Sometimes, a root canal is needed to remove the bacteria from your tooth. Other times, though, tooth extraction becomes necessary if the damage is substantial.
To avoid tooth sensitivity and pain months after a filling, make sure to visit your dentist regularly. In addition, pay attention to your oral care regime.
7. Sensitive Tooth
You might have a deep filling close to the nerve of your tooth, resulting in sensitivity. In some cases, the sensitivity is temporary, whereas it could persist for months in other instances.
Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth could alleviate the pain. You can also try desensitizing gel or rinse. Contact your dentist for an evaluation if sensitivity persists.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several factors could be why fillings hurt after months. These include tooth decay, allergic reaction, sensitivity, fractured filling, and more. Hence, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for any pain or discomfort. Talk to our specialists at Lake Elsinore Dentistry for adequate treatment. Call us now at (951) 579-1010. Or you can visit us at 31581 Canyon Estates Dr #201, Lake Elsinore, CA 92532, for tips on how to make your filling last long.