Tooth Sensitivity After a Filling: What's Normal and When to Worry

Getting a cavity filled is one of the most common dental procedures, designed to restore a tooth's health and prevent further decay. While it's a routine fix, it's not unusual to walk away with a new, temporary issue: tooth sensitivity. That zing of discomfort when you sip a cold drink or bite down can be unsettling.

The good news is that, in most cases, this sensitivity is a normal part of the healing process and will fade with time. However, it's essential to understand what's typical, what you can do to manage it, and what symptoms signal a need for a follow-up visit with your dentist. This guide covers everything you need to know about tooth sensitivity after a filling.

Is Tooth Sensitivity After a Filling Normal?

Yes, experiencing some level of sensitivity after a dental filling is very common and generally considered normal. The procedure involves removing decayed tooth structure, which can temporarily irritate the nerve inside the tooth.

What to Expect:

• Duration: Most post-filling sensitivity resolves on its own within a few days to a few weeks. According to Healthline, discomfort should fade within two to four weeks. For deeper fillings, this period can sometimes extend.
• Triggers: The sensitivity is often triggered by specific stimuli, including hot or cold foods and drinks, sweet or acidic foods, cold air, and pressure from biting or chewing.

The pain is typically sharp but brief. If the discomfort is constant, throbbing, or worsens over time, it may indicate a more significant issue.

Common Causes of Post-Filling Sensitivity

Understanding why your tooth feels sensitive can help you determine whether it's part of the normal healing process or something more.

Nerve Irritation and Inflammation (Pulpitis)

The core of your tooth contains the pulp—a bundle of nerves and blood vessels. The drilling process used to remove decay can generate heat and vibration, which inflames this pulp tissue. This condition is called pulpitis.

• Reversible Pulpitis: This is the most common outcome. The pulp is irritated but will heal on its own as the tooth adjusts to the new filling. The sensitivity is temporary and will gradually disappear.
• Irreversible Pulpitis: In cases of very deep decay close to the nerve, the inflammation may be too severe for the pulp to recover. This can lead to persistent, lingering pain and may require further treatment, such as a root canal.

!Illustration of a healthy tooth versus a tooth with pulpitis, showing inflammation in the pulp chamber. Image Source: Windsor Dentists

Incorrect Bite Alignment (High Filling)

Sometimes, the new filling is slightly taller than the natural surface of your tooth. This "high spot" means that when you bite down, all the pressure is concentrated on that one tooth instead of being distributed evenly. This can cause significant pain and sensitivity when chewing. You may not notice this until the anesthetic wears off completely. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest problems for a dentist to fix with a quick adjustment.

The Role of Filling Materials and Techniques

The type of material used for your filling can also play a role:

• Amalgam (Silver) Fillings: As metals, these fillings are excellent conductors of temperature. This can transmit hot and cold sensations directly to the nerve, causing sensitivity.
• Composite (Tooth-Colored) Fillings: These fillings are bonded to the tooth. If the bond is not perfect or if the material shrinks slightly during curing, it can create microscopic gaps, leading to sensitivity. The technique of drying the tooth before bonding can also sometimes over-desiccate it, causing irritation.

Referred Pain

It's not uncommon to feel pain or sensitivity in the teeth surrounding the one that was filled. As WebMD explains, the filled tooth can pass along "pain signals" to adjacent teeth. This type of pain is usually temporary and should resolve on its own within one to two weeks.

How to Manage Tooth Sensitivity at Home

While your tooth is healing, there are several simple steps you can take to minimize discomfort and promote recovery.

• Avoid Triggers: Steer clear of foods and drinks that are extremely hot, cold, sugary, or acidic.
• Use Desensitizing Toothpaste: Toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth contain compounds like potassium nitrate that help block the pathways to the nerve, reducing sensitivity over time.
• Practice Gentle Oral Hygiene: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid brushing aggressively around the sensitive tooth.
• Chew on the Other Side: Give the new filling a break by chewing on the opposite side of your mouth for a few days.
• Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be effective at reducing both pain and inflammation.

Image Source: Broadway Family Dental

When to Call Your Dentist: Differentiating Normal Sensitivity from a Deeper Problem

While some sensitivity is normal, certain signs indicate that you should contact your dentist for a follow-up. Don't wait if you experience any of the following:

• Pain Lasts Longer Than 4 Weeks: If sensitivity isn't improving or persists beyond a month, it's not part of the normal healing process.
• The Pain is Worsening: Discomfort should gradually decrease, not increase.
• Your Bite Feels "Off": If closing your mouth feels uneven or you feel intense pain upon biting down, you likely have a high filling that needs adjustment.
• You Have Severe or Throbbing Pain: A constant, deep, throbbing ache is a red flag for irreversible pulpitis or a possible infection.
• You Notice Swelling or a "Pimple" on Your Gum: Swelling in the gums near the filled tooth or a small, pus-filled bump (abscess) are signs of infection.
• You Have a Fever: A fever accompanying tooth pain is another indicator of infection.
• You Suspect an Allergic Reaction: Though rare, some people can be allergic to filling materials. Symptoms may include a skin rash or itching near the area.

Professional Treatments for Persistent Sensitivity

If your sensitivity doesn't resolve with at-home care, your dentist has several options to address the problem:

• Bite Adjustment: For a high filling, your dentist will simply smooth down the excess material to restore a proper bite. This is a quick and painless fix.
• Replacing the Filling: If the filling is cracked, leaking, or causing an allergic reaction, it may need to be replaced.
• Applying a Desensitizing Agent: Your dentist can apply a professional-grade desensitizing varnish or sealant to the tooth to block the dentin tubules and reduce sensitivity.
• Root Canal Therapy: As Harvard Health explains, if the pulp is irreversibly damaged or infected, a root canal may be necessary. This procedure removes the inflamed pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it, saving the tooth from extraction.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that post-filling sensitivity is a common experience. By being patient and using simple at-home remedies, you can often manage the discomfort as your tooth heals. However, always trust your instincts—if the pain feels severe, is getting worse, or just doesn't seem right, a call to your dentist is the best course of action.

References

1. Higuera, V. (2017, December 13). Tooth Sensitivity After Filling: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-sensitivity-after-filling
2. Wyatt, A.D. (n.d.). Problems with Dental Fillings. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/problems-dental-fillings
3. Columbia Smiles. (2025, January 13). 3 Common Reasons for Tooth Pain After a Filling. https://www.columbia-smiles.com/dental-blog/3-common-reasons-for-tooth-pain-after-a-filling/
4. Catanese, L. (2025, March 6). Need a root canal? Here's what to expect. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/need-a-root-canal-heres-what-to-expect
5. Prognosis and Management of Long-Term Post-Filling Sensitivity. (Internal Survey Data).
6. The Influence of Filling Materials and Dental Techniques on Sensitivity Levels. (Internal Survey Data).