Does It Hurt to Get a Filling?
Tooth cavities can be painful, but getting a filling isn’t anything to worry about. This routine dental treatment is usually quick and painless, and relieves the discomfort caused by tooth decay and cavities.
If your dentist thinks that you or your child need a filling, they’ll explain what the procedure involves and what you can expect afterwards. Read more about fillings below or contact our dentists in Mosman to find out how we can help restore your tooth to good working order.
During your procedure
You won’t feel pain during a filling treatment, as your dentist can numb your mouth around the treated area using a numbing gel and local anaesthetic, though this may not be needed if the cavity isn’t too deep in the tooth.
You may feel a mild pinch or stinging sensation when your body first reacts to the anaesthetic. You may also feel some pressure when your dentist operates on your tooth and places the filling, but this shouldn’t be painful. Placing a filling doesn’t take long, usually being complete in less than an hour.
If you have anxiety about dental treatments, your dentist may offer other sedation options to help you feel calm, though these sedatives could stay in your system for longer and affect your recovery period.
During your recovery
You may feel some mild pain or discomfort in the gum around the treated tooth after local anaesthesia or other sedation wears off. This can be managed with normal over-the-counter painkillers or home remedies. The tooth might also feel more sensitive for up to a few days, and this may spread to other teeth.
Complications from fillings are rare when the treatment is provided by an experienced dentist, but some people may have an allergic reaction to anaesthetic. If you have an older metal filling in an opposing tooth, two different filling materials biting together can sometimes produce a shock, so your dentist will usually recommend replacing the metal filling with a white composite filling.
You can improve your chance of a smooth recovery by avoiding hot or cold food and drinks for the first few hours after treatment, eating soft foods for the next few days, and continuing to brush and floss as normal to prevent further decay.
How to avoid cavities
You can lower your risk of developing cavities and needing further fillings by taking good care of your oral hygiene every day. This includes:
- Brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing at least once daily to clean hard-to-reach areas
- Following a balanced diet without too much sugar
- Drinking plenty of water
- Seeing your dentist for a check-up and clean every 6–12 months
See a Mosman dentist today
Are you suffering from a toothache, or do you have other possible signs of a cavity? You’ll be in safe hands with our experienced Mosman dentists. To find out more about how we can help, or to book an appointment, call our friendly team now on (02) 9969 8610 or book online.