Have you just got a dental filling to fix a decay, and now you have pain in your jaw. Why is that? While a cavity filling should restore the tooth and improve your comfort, there are cases where patients may experience jaw pain after a filling, and some other issues as well. Knowing what to expect after your tooth restoration can help you identify if something is wrong. Then, you can take action you need to protect your mouth and overall health.
What to Expect After a Filling
What a filling does is repair the damage caused by cavities. Although a white filling should help to fix your problem, you might notice a bit of sensitivity right after the treatment.
There are some cases when people feel tooth pain or gum inflammation around their tooth filling. Tooth pain after a filling can indicate that the filling has or is affecting your bite or that the cavity was severe enough to require more extensive treatment, such as a root canal. In that case, you might want to see your dentist or endodontist to discuss your options.
What Causes Jaw Pain After a Filling?
What if you don’t feel tooth sensitivity or a toothache after a filling but instead have jaw pain or soreness? In some cases, the tenderness or stiffness might be a side effect of having a dentist working in your mouth. Any dental work that requires you to keep your mouth open for long can lead to jaw soreness due to muscle strain. This phenomenon can be termed as a “Stuck” Jaw or “Lockjaw,” making it difficult to fully open your mouth. A slightly sore jaw is normal following a dental treatment. However, if the pain is severe (example: it isn’t controlled by over-the-counter pain relievers), call your dentist.
How to Get Relief From Jaw Pain
You might be happy to know that jaw pain after a filling usually resolves itself quickly. But what if it doesn’t happen? Not to worry! Here are a few preventive measures you can take to ease the pain.
· If you’re experiencing “stuck” jaw, apply heat to the jaw area, or try gentle stretching exercises.
· Ibuprofen and other painkillers may also help to minimize your jaw pain after dental work.
· If ibuprofen or similar medicine doesn’t help, your dentist might prescribe a muscle relaxant to reduce the pain.
When to Visit a Dentist For Jaw Pain
Any discomfort or sensitivity you feel after a filling should go away after a few weeks. If more than 2 weeks have gone and your jaw still hurts, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Your dentist can find out the cause of your throbbing jaw pain and can discuss what you can do to reduce it.
To schedule an appointment with Village Park Dentistry, call at 281-376-4444.