Key Takeaway
- Mild toothache after a filling is common and usually temporary.
- Pain can be caused by inflammation, bite issues, deep decay or nerve irritation.
- Sharp pain when biting typically indicates a high filling.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold is normal but should reduce within days or weeks.
- Severe or worsening pain may signal infection or the need for further treatment.
- Home care such as pain relief, desensitising toothpaste and avoiding triggers can help.
- Contact a dentist if symptoms persist longer than two weeks or intensify.
💡 Whites Dental offers appointments for toothache treatment with our dentist, adjustments of bite after a filling and assessment for post-filling tooth pain.
Understanding Why Toothache Can Occur After A Filling
Experiencing toothache after a filling is more common than many patients expect. While most dental fillings are straightforward and painless, the tooth’s internal structures sometimes need time to settle—especially if the decay was extensive. A filling restores the lost tooth structure but cannot immediately reverse inflammation in the nerve or surrounding tissues.
Pain can vary from mild sensitivity to sharp discomfort when chewing. Understanding the underlying causes is essential in deciding whether the pain is normal or a sign that further dental attention is needed.
How Long Pain After A Filling Should Last
The duration of post-filling discomfort depends on several factors:
- Depth of the cavity
- Type of filling material
- Initial condition of the tooth
- Bite alignment
- Healing response of the surrounding tissues
Most mild pain improves within:
- 24–48 hours for shallow fillings
- 1–2 weeks for deeper fillings
- Up to 4 weeks for fillings close to the tooth nerve
💡Persistent or worsening pain, however, should be evaluated immediately by a dentist.
Types Of Pain You May Experience After A Filling
Pain after a filling does not always feel the same. Each type of discomfort can indicate a different underlying reason.
Sensitivity To Hot And Cold
This is the most common form of post-filling discomfort. It often occurs due to:
- Temporary nerve irritation
- Temperature conductivity of certain filling materials
- Bonding stress on the enamel and dentine
- Minor dehydration of the tooth during treatment
💡 This sensitivity usually reduces gradually over days or weeks.
Sharp Pain When Biting Down
Biting pain is often a sign of:
- A filling that is too high
- Interference with the normal bite pattern
- Micro-fractures in the surrounding tooth structure
- Issues with the underlying dentine
💡 A high filling prevents the teeth from closing evenly, causing pain whenever pressure is applied.
Pain When Eating Sweet Foods
Pain triggered by sugar can indicate exposed dentine or a microscopic gap between the filling and tooth surface—sometimes linked to bonding issues.
Constant, Throbbing Pain
This is less common and may suggest:
- Infection of the tooth pulp
- A deep cavity that has affected the nerve
- A cracked tooth beneath the filling
- Abscess formation
💡 Continuous pain rarely resolves on its own and requires prompt dental intervention.
Causes Of Toothache After A Filling
Post-filling pain can originate from various sources. Understanding these causes helps determine what action to take next.
Inflammation Of The Tooth Nerve
When decay is deep, the area near the pulp becomes irritated. Even after the decay is removed and the tooth sealed, the nerve may remain inflamed for several days. Common symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Occasional short-lasting pain
- Discomfort when chewing harder foods
💡This inflammation often subsides gradually.
A High Filling Causing Bite Problems
If the filling slightly protrudes above the natural tooth level, one tooth bears more pressure than the others. This causes sharp pain when biting or chewing. Signs include:
- Pain only when applying pressure
- Localised tenderness
- A sensation that the tooth “hits first” when closing the jaw
💡A dentist can adjust the filling to relieve this issue almost immediately.
Deep Cavities Close To The Nerve
Decay that reaches the deeper layers of dentine often leaves the nerve more exposed and sensitive. Even when restored, this tooth may take longer to settle. Risk factors include:
- Large composite fillings
- Multiple previous fillings
- Teeth that required extensive drilling
💡 Sometimes, these teeth progress to requiring root canal treatment if the nerve does not heal.
Pulpitis (Nerve Inflammation)
There are two forms of pulpitis:
Reversible Pulpitis
The nerve is irritated but can heal.
Characteristics include:
- Sensitivity to cold
- Pain lasting only a few seconds
- Improvement over time
Irreversible Pulpitis
The nerve becomes infected and cannot recover.
Characteristics include:
- Spontaneous pain
- Continuous throbbing
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Intense sensitivity lasting more than 30 seconds
💡Irreversible pulpitis requires root canal treatment.
Cracked Tooth Under The Filling
If a tooth was already cracked before the filling, or if the cavity compromised tooth strength, the filling may not solve the issue. Cracks cause pain especially when releasing bite pressure.
Common indicators include:
- Sharp pain when chewing
- Pain when releasing pressure
- Sensitivity to cold drinks
💡 This may require a crown or further restorative treatment.
Leakage Around The Filling
If a gap forms between the filling and tooth—due to bonding issues or material shrinkage—it exposes dentine and causes sensitivity.
Metal Fillings Causing Sensitivity
Amalgam fillings can occasionally transmit heat and cold more readily. Though safe and durable, they sometimes cause temporary temperature sensitivity after placement.
Allergic Reaction To Filling Materials (Rare)
Some patients may react to certain components in composite resin or amalgam.
Symptoms include:
- Localised gum inflammation
- Redness around the filled tooth
- Persistent sensitivity.
💡 Replacement with a different material is often required.
How To Tell If The Toothache Is Normal Or Something More Serious
Differentiating between normal healing discomfort and a complication is essential.
Normal Post-Filling Discomfort
- Mild sensitivity to cold
- Occasional tenderness
- Pain when biting lasting only a second
- Gradual improvement over days or weeks
Signs You Should Contact A Dentist Immediately
- Pain worsening after several days
- Sensitivity that intensifies rather than reduces.
- Continuous throbbing.
- Pain when chewing that doesn’t improve.
- Swelling around the tooth or jaw.
- Bad taste indicating possible infection.
- Temperature sensitivity lasting longer than 30 seconds.
💡 Immediate assessment prevents more serious issues. Visit Whites Dental for tooth pain relief in Central London.
What To Do At Home To Relieve Toothache After A Filling
There are several ways to ease discomfort while the tooth settles.
Use Desensitising Toothpaste
Toothpastes containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride help reduce sensitivity by blocking pain signals.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Limit:
- Ice-cold drinks
- Sugary snacks
- Highly acidic foods
- Very hot beverages.
- Hard foods that put pressure on the filled tooth
Take Recommended Pain Relief
Options include:
- Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory).
- Paracetamol (pain relief)
- A combination under proper guidance
Avoid exceeding recommended dosages.
Keep The Area Clean
Food debris around a newly filled tooth can irritate gums and increase discomfort.
Avoid Chewing Directly On The Filled Tooth
Particularly during the first 24–48 hours, especially if the filling is deep.
Try Warm Salt-Water Rinses
This reduces inflammation and soothes gum tissue.
Cold Compress For External Swelling
A cold pack applied to the outer cheek can lessen inflammation.
When A Toothache After A Filling Means You Need Further Treatment
While many cases resolve naturally, some require additional dental intervention.
When The Filling Needs Adjustment
A high filling only requires a small adjustment by the dentist. This typically resolves pain immediately.
When A Root Canal May Be Necessary
If the nerve is infected or irreversibly inflamed, root canal therapy becomes the appropriate treatment.
Signs include:
- Pain that persists more than 30 seconds after cold exposure
- Pain that occurs spontaneously
- Night-time pain.
- Throbbing, pressure-like discomfort.
When A Replacement Filling Is Required
Filling replacement may be needed when:
- There is leakage or separation
- The filling has cracked
- Decay remains underneath the current filling
When A Crown Is Needed
A crown may be necessary if:
- The tooth structure is significantly weakened
- There are cracks beneath the filling.
- The filling is too large to support the tooth.
When Extraction Is The Last Option
This is rare but may occur if:
- The tooth is too fractured
- Infection cannot be resolved.
- The structure is no longer restorable.
Preventing Toothache After A Filling
Certain proactive steps can reduce the risk of discomfort after a filling.
Choose The Right Filling Material
Composite fillings are popular for aesthetics, but deep cavities may benefit from alternative materials depending on the case.
Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
Prevention is always the best treatment. Reducing decay risk lowers the need for large fillings that irritate nerves.
Attend Regular Dental Check-Ups
Routine visits help detect small cavities early, avoiding deep fillings close to the nerve.
Inform Your Dentist About Sensitivity History
If you commonly experience sensitivity, your dentist can take additional measures during treatment.
Follow Post-Treatment Advice Carefully
Dentists provide customised instructions for the days following a filling. Adhering to these helps the tooth heal smoothly.
How Dentists Diagnose Post-Filling Pain
Proper diagnosis of why the pain is occurring is key to determine correct treatment.
Clinical Examination
The dentist assesses:
- Bite alignment
- Gum health
- Sensitivity patterns.
- Cracks or weak spots in the tooth
Percussion Testing
Tapping the tooth helps determine whether inflammation is coming from the ligament or nerve.
Cold Testing
A cold test assesses nerve vitality and identifies reversible vs. irreversible pulpitis.
Bite Analysis With Articulating Paper
Checks for high spots that may require adjustment.
Digital X-rays
X-rays help identify:
- Deep decay
- Cracks
- Infection.
- Gaps beneath the filling.
- Bone health.
💡 Correct diagnosis ensures the appropriate treatment plan.
How Whites Dental Can Help With Toothache Treatments In London
Whites Dental provides support at every stage of post-filling care, ensuring fast relief and accurate diagnosis.
Advanced Pain Assessment
Our experienced clinicians assess your symptoms, perform diagnostic tests, and identify the root cause of toothache after a filling.
Quick Bite Adjustments
If your pain is due to a high filling, our dentists can correct it quickly—often providing immediate relief.
Emergency Appointments
We offer appointments – same day usually – if you are experiencing severe pain or facial swelling or suspected tooth infection.
Expertise In Reversible And Irreversible Pulpitis
Our dentists determine whether your nerve can heal naturally or requires root canal treatment.
High-Quality Restorations
We use advanced materials and techniques to minimise post-treatment sensitivity and ensure long-lasting fillings.
💡 At Whites Dental, our clinical team at both our London locations provide comprehensive tooth pain relief solutions and toothache treatments for pain relief and establishing long term oral health.
FAQs About Toothache After A Filling
Why Does My Tooth Hurt Days Or Weeks After A Filling?
It is common for a tooth to remain sensitive for several days or weeks after a filling, especially if the decay was deep. The inner tooth tissues may need time to recover from drilling, bonding or irritation of the nerve. If the pain worsens or does not improve within two weeks, contact a dentist.
Is It Normal To Have Pain When Biting After A Filling?
No. Pain when biting usually indicates a filling that is too high or interfering with your bite. This is easily fixed with a quick adjustment by your dentist.
How Do I Know If The Nerve Is Damaged After A Filling?
Signs of nerve damage or irreversible pulpitis include:
- Spontaneous pain
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Long-lasting sensitivity to cold
- Throbbing or pulsing pain
If you notice these symptoms, you may need root canal treatment.
How Long Does Sensitivity After A Filling Last?
Mild sensitivity normally lasts:
- 1–3 days for small fillings
- 1–2 weeks for medium fillings
- Up to 4 weeks for deep fillings
If sensitivity is getting worse rather than improving, contact a dentist.
Why Does Cold Food Or Drink Hurt My Tooth After A Filling?
Exposure to cold often causes temporary irritation of the tooth nerve. Composite fillings can also transmit temperature slightly during the first few days. This usually settles as the nerve heals.
Can A Filling Cause A Tooth Infection?
Indirectly, yes. If decay was very deep or if bacteria remain underneath the filling, the nerve can become infected. Persistent or worsening pain requires assessment.
What Should I Do If My Filling Hurts After A Month?
Pain that lasts more than four weeks is not typical. It may be due to a high filling, nerve inflammation, leakage, or a cracked tooth. A dentist can diagnose the issue and provide treatment.
Can I Get Pain Relief For Toothache After A Filling?
Yes. Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Always follow labelled instructions and consult a medical professional if unsure.
When Should I Call A Dentist?
Contact a dentist if you experience:
- Worsening pain
- Pain lasting longer than two weeks.
- Throbbing or pulsing sensations.
- Facial swelling.
- Pain when biting that does not improve
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
Can A Toothache After Filling Heal On Its Own?
Yes, in many cases it can—especially if the pain is mild and improves steadily. However, pain that is severe, persistent, or worsening will not resolve without dental treatment.
Why Does The Tooth Feel Worse After A Composite Filling?
Composite resin fillings can sometimes cause temporary sensitivity due to bonding stress, curing shrinkage, or dehydration of the tooth surface. These effects usually settle naturally.
Can Clenching Or Grinding Cause Post-Filling Pain?
Yes. Patients who clench or grind may put extra pressure on a recently filled tooth, causing ache or tenderness. A bite guard may be recommended if grinding is severe.