You just had a filling done and now your tooth hurts. Maybe it's sensitive to cold. Maybe it aches when you bite down. Maybe it just throbs quietly and you're not sure if something went wrong.
First — take a breath. Post-filling sensitivity is one of the most common things patients experience and in most cases it's completely expected. But not all post-filling pain is the same, and knowing the difference helps you decide whether to wait it out or call your dentist.
This article explains exactly what causes tooth pain after a filling, what's normal, what's not, and a clear timeline for when to pick up the phone.
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Create Account Log InWhy fillings cause pain — the simple explanation
Getting a filling involves drilling into your tooth to remove decay, then placing a material to seal the space. That process — the drilling, the vibration, the temperature changes from water spray — irritates the nerve inside your tooth. Even after a successful filling, the nerve can stay irritated and sensitive for days to weeks.
Think of it like a bruise. Your tooth was worked on. It needs time to settle down. The sensitivity you feel is often just the nerve calming itself after being disturbed — not a sign that anything went wrong.
Different types of post-filling pain
Sensitivity to temperature
The most common complaint. Cold drinks, ice cream, or breathing cold air causes a sharp, brief sensation in the filled tooth. This usually peaks in the first day or two and fades gradually over one to two weeks. Hot sensitivity is less common but can occur.
Pain when biting down
If your tooth hurts specifically when you bite, the filling may be sitting slightly too high — meaning it's making contact before your other teeth do when you close. This is called a high bite and it's a straightforward fix. Your dentist can adjust the filling in about five minutes at no charge. Don't ignore this one — it usually doesn't resolve on its own.
Referred pain
Sometimes the tooth that was filled doesn't hurt — but nearby teeth do. This is called referred pain and happens because nerves in the area are all sending signals that your brain interprets as coming from different locations. It typically resolves within one to two weeks as the main tooth settles.
A general dull ache
A mild, background ache in the filled tooth for the first few days is normal. The tooth was worked on and it's responding. As long as it's not severe and is gradually decreasing, this is expected.
Normal vs. not normal — side by side
Normal — Wait it out
- Brief sensitivity to cold that fades within seconds
- Mild aching in the first 1 to 3 days
- Sensitivity that is gradually improving each day
- Slight discomfort when biting that's mild and decreasing
- Sensitivity in nearby teeth that resolves on its own
Not normal — Call your dentist
- Sharp pain when biting that isn't improving after a few days
- Sensitivity that is getting worse, not better
- Severe throbbing pain, especially at night
- Pain that lingers for 30+ seconds after a temperature trigger
- Swelling, visible bump on gum, or fever near the tooth
Simple rule: Sensitivity that is mild and getting better every day is normal. Sensitivity that is severe, constant, or getting worse is a signal to call your dentist.
What to expect day by day
How to manage sensitivity at home
- Avoid temperature extremes for the first few days — very cold drinks, hot coffee, ice cream
- Chew on the opposite side until sensitivity improves
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce inflammation and discomfort — follow package directions
- Sensitive toothpaste (containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride) can help calm nerve sensitivity when used consistently
- Avoid sugary or acidic foods near the filled tooth while it's sensitive
When the decay was deep — what that means for your nerve
If your dentist mentioned that the cavity was "deep" or "close to the nerve," expect a longer recovery and heightened sensitivity. Deep fillings sit much closer to the dental pulp (the nerve tissue at the center of the tooth), and that nerve takes longer to settle after being disturbed.
In some cases, a very deep filling causes enough nerve irritation that the tooth eventually requires a root canal — even if the filling was placed correctly. This isn't a failure of the treatment. It's the tooth's response to significant decay that had already reached close to the pulp.
Your dentist may have placed a liner or base material under the filling to protect the nerve in deep cases. If they mentioned this, it means they took the appropriate precaution.
⚠ Call your dentist if you experience:
Severe pain that wakes you up at night, significant swelling near the tooth or gum, pain that has gotten noticeably worse after day three, or any fever. These can indicate an infection that needs prompt treatment.
The bottom line
Post-filling sensitivity is normal. It's your tooth's nervous system responding to a procedure that disturbed it. Mild, decreasing sensitivity in the days after a filling is expected and not a cause for concern.
What matters is the trend. If it's getting better, give it time. If it's getting worse, not improving after two weeks, or accompanied by swelling or severe pain — call your dentist. That's what they're there for.