Once tooth decay has affected your teeth, it only gets worse from there — unless you receive dental treatment on time. If you have a cavity, your dentist might recommend dental filling to eliminate the symptoms. However, many individuals have anxiety and dread regarding dental procedures, and they wonder, ‘Do fillings hurt?’
To answer, the procedure of receiving fillings itself does not cause discomfort since you are put under local anesthesia. Moreover, significant pain after filling will require immediate consultation with the dentist. In this blog, we will tell you what to expect when getting a filling.
Does Getting a Cavity Filling Hurt?
Getting a cavity filling isn’t painful. This is because the dentist numbs the area around the tooth before they begin the procedure. You might feel a slight prick or pinch when local anesthesia is injected, but the discomfort only lasts a few seconds.
While the dentist works to fill your tooth cavity, you shouldn’t feel any pain. Since the procedure involves removing the decayed part of the tooth to prepare it for filling, you may feel pressure or vibrations. Other than that, getting a filling should not hurt. If you feel any pain or discomfort during the treatment, inform your dentist right away. They may adjust the anesthesia or take other steps to ensure your comfort.
Do Dental Fillings Hurt After the Procedure?
When the procedure is complete, the anesthesia will wear off. You might experience slight discomfort for a couple of days. The discomfort occurs because your teeth will experience sensitivity from pressure and hot or cold temperatures. In addition, biting or chewing hard foods could also cause pain. You can alleviate the pain with the help of a cold compress, as it reduces any swelling due to the procedure.
Visit your dentist if your filling hurts for more than a few days. Furthermore, extreme or constant pain will need to be assessed by a dental professional as well.
What Factors Determine If the Filling Will Hurt?
The dental filling procedure is performed to restore your tooth’s health, making sure it does not cause any more symptoms. Small cavities will not result in much pain, whereas deep cavities can lead to discomfort. Therefore, the size of your cavity could determine if your filling hurts or not.
Other than this, if a large cavity forms near the root of your tooth, it can lead to pain. Therefore, you need to attend your dental examinations regularly so the dentist can spot early cavities and treat them right away. Otherwise, they will just grow and cause you more discomfort.
Sometimes, multiple cavities form on your teeth. This could result in a lot of pain and discomfort. Thus, the dentist might recommend filling them all at once, which often hurts. Since the procedure time is longer, you will have to hold your mouth open for a lengthy time. As a result, you could experience jaw pain or gagging.
What Should I Do?
If you have a filling procedure due, it will not hurt unless the cavity is sizable, near the tooth’s root, or you have multiple cavities. Even then, it will not cause a lot of discomforts. Therefore, you should immediately bring it to your dentist’s notice if your tooth hurts.
Champions Dental has the expertise and skills you need for an effective procedure. Schedule your appointment with us by dialing (281) 866-0442. You can also meet our team at 13455 Cutten Rd. Suite 2G, Houston, TX 77069.