Dental fillings are typically needed to fill holes formed by a dental cavity. A cavity naturally causes pain and discomfort, and this likely increases without a restorative form of treatment like a filling. It also doesn’t help if you suffer from dental anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist.
If this is you, this article will change your perspective by answering the question; do fillings hurt?
Dental cavities that get progressively worse may increase the chances of infection.
If a dental cavity has formed, it would be recommended by the dentist to get it filled as quickly as possible to reduce the pain from the cavity.
What Happens At A Dental Filling Procedure?
You’d naturally visit the dentist if you’re in pain for treatment. The pain can range from mild to severe. No matter the level of pain, even the smallest form of pain indicates that there could be a problem with your teeth.
At the start of the appointment, the dentist will examine the issue at hand before preparing to apply the filling. The dentist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the infected area so that you feel next to no sensation.
The dentist will need to clean the infected area, which means removing any existing decay. Decay impacts the strength of your tooth enamel, and if the cavity gets bigger, the harder it is to save the tooth.
Finally, the filling material is applied to the hole to complete the treatment.
How Long Does Dental Filling Treatment Take?
Small fillings typically take between 20 to 30 minutes, but they may be longer if the cavity hole is bigger.
Do Fillings Hurt?
As mentioned previously, local anesthesia will be applied to numb sensation in the tooth as part of treatment. Dental fillings are not painful. The source of pain stems from the decay that’s formed in the tooth, and when the area is cleaned, the pain will reduce significantly.
Do Fillings Hurt After Treatment?
It is important to note that you won’t be completely free from sensitivity during and after tooth filling treatment. Local anesthesia helps to limit any sensation during treatment, but the anesthesia will wear off eventually, and you should expect to feel a degree of sensitivity as the filling settles. The sensitivity will be mild, but if the pain continues to be significant over several days, you’ll need to consult the dentist, but this is a rare side effect.
How Can I Avoid A Dental Filling?
Of course, there are steps you can take to look after your oral health so that you don’t get to the stage of experiencing a dental cavity.
- Brush and floss your teeth twice a day
- Consider using fluoride toothpaste
- Drop sugary foods and sodas and replace them with foods that strengthen your enamel e.g., green leafy vegetables and dairy
- Drink water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain strong saliva levels
- Regularly visit the dentist for a check-up
- Do not use your teeth for habits such as opening packaging and biting down on ice
Getting a cavity can be a stressful experience, and there’s an added danger that you may lose your tooth. Although now that the question does fillings hurt has been answered, you may now consider dental fillings if you’re experiencing a cavity.
You can also read our article how long dental filling lasts if you are concerned when will you need the dental refilling.
As soon as some sensitivity is felt in the tooth, get in touch with our Woden dental centre as soon as possible to avoid the infection becoming worse.