You got a filling. Now your jaw hurts. This is normal. Fillings can cause jaw pain after a filling. But don’t worry; there are ways to get relief. First, the causes. Fillings change the shape of your tooth. This can make your bite fall off. This puts a strain on the muscles in your jaw. The numbing shots you receive can also hurt.
Here are some tips for relief:- Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen. It will also relieve the pain. Apply a cold compress on your jaw. The cold may help dial down swelling and pain. — Eat soft foods. Do not chew on the side with the new filling.- If the pain persists for a few days, contact your dentist.
They can alter the content of the filling. Occasionally, your jaw pain after a filling will ease within a week or two with appropriate treatment. If it doesn’t, contact your dentist, and they can help.
Introduction
Jaw discomfort following the placement of a dental filling is not uncommon. It may also be concerning. The pain can occur after a simple cavity filling or an extensive dental procedure. Patients might be worried about when they have a serious problem. A bit of discomfort is expected after dental work. It is important to be aware of these other causes. You should also understand when to turn to your dentist for assistance.
Show HardImprovementsIn this article, we explore why your jaw might hurt after you receive a filling. We’ll offer some tips for getting relief. We’ll also describe when to call your dentist. You will learn what to expect and how to feel better as you heal.
Jaw Pain After a Filling: What Causes It?
1. Incorrect Bite Another frequent cause of jaw pain after a filling is improperly biting. When a filling is added, it must match the shape of your teeth. If the filling is too high, it creates an uneven bite. Your jaw has to work harder to close properly. This strain can lead to sore jaw muscles and joints.
A filling may feel fine right after the dentist appointment. However, once the anesthetic wears off, you will likely feel discomfort when chewing or biting. Such an uneven bite can cause your jaw muscles to tighten. Your jaw muscles are trying to adapt to the irregular bite.
After getting a filling, your tooth may become sensitive. This is especially true if it reacts to hot or cold things. The sensitivity can hurt when you chew, mainly if the tooth needs a lot of work or a deep filling. The sensitivity can also make your jaw tense, adding to the discomfort.
2. Here is the content with improved readability: The filling material could bother the nerve in the tooth. This can make the tooth feel more sensitive. Also, the process of filling the cavity can reveal dentine. Dentine is more sensitive than enamel.
3. Jaw Clenching or Grinding: Most people are unaware that they grind or clench their teeth. They frequently do it automatically, in their sleep or in times of stress. Soft foods tend to exacerbate jaw pain after a filling. The additional tension from clenching can stress the muscles around the jaw. This only compounds the sensitivity in the area where the filling was placed.
The above content improves with a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level under 8: Clenching or grinding gives your teeth and jaw a lot of pressure. This leads to soreness. You feel this tension might impact the muscles that move your jaw. This can lead to pain or discomfort in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
4. Nerve Irritation: When a filling is too close to the tooth’s nerve, or if the process irritates the nerve, it may lead to pain or discomfort in the jaw. Nerve irritation can cause sharp, shooting pains or a dull ache. This can worsen when you bite or chew.
Data up to October 2023. If the cavity is deep, this is more likely. It can create pain in that region. Pain may also radiate to your jaw.
5. Infection or Inflammation: An infection or inflammation may occur when a filling is needed. If the filling is loose or the tooth has a crack, bacteria can enter and lead to infection in the tooth or surrounding tissues. Infections in the gums or teeth can cause intense jaw pain after a filling and swelling.
This will help you to have more readable content: A filling I £0 £6, which does not completely seal a cavity, allows bacteria in. This can cause an infection. Gum or tissue swelling around the tooth may also be discomforting. The pain can radiate to the jaw.
How to Get Relief from Jaw Pain After a Filling
1. Cold or Warm Compresses: A compress to the area in question can help. Cold reduces swelling. Heat helps to relax muscles and improve circulation. Both can ease discomfort.
Place a cloth-wrapped ice pack on your face next to the painful area. Do this for 15-20 minutes to reduce the swelling. If the pain is more muscular than inflammatory, switch to a warm compress after a few days. It will help relax the jaw muscles.
2. NSAID Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: help with mild to moderate pain. Medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin can help alleviate pain and inflammation. Just be careful when following the dosage instructions.
Ibuprofen is a medication that helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. If you can’t take ibuprofen, you can use acetaminophen to ease pain, though it won’t reduce swelling.
You are learning up until October 2023. For a few days, eat only soft foods. Soups, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and smoothies need less chewing. This will help reduce strain on your jaw.
3. Avoid hard or crunchy foods: Until the pain disappears, avoid foods requiring excessive chewing—nuts, raw veggies, and tough meats—until the pain disappears.
4. Gentle Jaw Exercises: Gentle jaw exercises can release muscle tension and help align your jaw. Enunciate your mouth up and down several times a day. And shift your jaw from side to side. Be cautious and take breaks if the exercises cause any sharp pain.
Open and close your mouth slowly. This gently stretches the jaw muscles. You can also massage the area near the jaw. This allows the jaw muscles to relax.
5. Adjust the Bite (If Necessary): Your bite may be misaligned if the filling feels intrusive. Your dentist can fix this easily. They will modify the filling so your bite is correct. This will relieve the pressure on your jaw.
If you feel the filling is too high, consult your dentist. This can lead to pain when you chew. Schedule a follow-up appointment to have your dentist adjust the filling.
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When to see a dentist?
Most jaw pain after a filling will resolve over time, but there are certain indicators that it’s time to see a dentist. Should you experience any of these symptoms, you ought to reach out to your dentist for more assistance.
Acute pain lasting longer than a week could indicate a more serious problem. The pain could be due to problems such as nerve issues, infections, or an improper bite. Swelling or pus around a filling indicates an infection. We need to act quickly on this front.” If chewing or biting is difficult or your teeth are misaligned, the filling may need to be adjusted. Dull, expansive pain from the tooth in the jaw can indicate the nerve is involved. This might require additional treatment, e.g., a root canal.
How to Prevent Jaw Pain After a Filling
Some discomfort is common after a filling is placed. But you can do many things to avoid or minimize jaw pain after a filling. These include:
Ensure good dental care. You should always follow your dentist because it will minimize the risks. Oral care: Brush your teeth twice daily and use floss regularly. This applies particularly to those who grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night; a night guard will help protect your fillings and jaw. Be careful how you chew. Do not exert too much pressure on the treated tooth immediately after the procedure. Also, routine dentist visits are essential. They help detect and diagnose any problems with your fillings early on.
FAQ: Jaw Pain After a Filling
Some pain after dental filling is normal.
This is particularly true for the first few days. But if the pain persists or worsens, you should consult your dentist.
How long does my jaw hurt after a filling?
Jaw pain after a filling tends to resolve within a couple of days to a week. If it goes on longer, it could mean something else is wrong. If the pain persists, you need to go to your dentist. Yes, you can get jaw pain after a filling, even if the filling height is correct. Discomfort can arise from nerve irritation, muscle tension from clenching, or tooth sensitivity. Jaw pain can occur even if the filling height is not high.
What if I have jaw pain after a filling—a sign I need to worry about?
Not always. Most pain is normal, particularly if you’re adjusting to the new filling. But if the pain is intense, lasts for more than a week, or is associated with swelling or an infection, you should see your dentist.
Improve Show HardConclusion. It is common to experience tooth pain after a filling. Knowing the why behind the phenomenon and how to find comfort can be helpful. Minor pain will often resolve on its own. Key takeaways: You need to know when a dentist should be consulted. With good care and follow-ups, you get better and do not have long-term problems.
