Getting a dental filling should ease all your tooth troubles and replace the toothache with a soothing feeling. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, rather than relief, people find themselves face-to-face with intense jaw pain after filling. This may seem like a cause for concern, but surprisingly, it’s a pretty normal side effect of getting a filling. Although, if the jaw pain persists for longer than two weeks and gradually gets worse, seek immediate care. To learn more about what causes this pain and how you can get rid of it, continue reading this blog.
Why Do I Have Severe Jaw Pain After Dental Work?
It’s not uncommon for people to suffer from severe jaw pain after sitting through a long dental work procedure. The pain can be brought on by various factors such as muscle fatigue, lockjaw, referred pain, or an uneven filling.
Oftentimes, getting a filling can be exhausting since you have to keep your mouth open for an extended period of time, waiting for the dentist to get done with the sealing. Not to mention, if you have TMJ pain, the procedure could make it worse. But thankfully, muscle fatigue isn’t a permanent thing since the soreness goes away on its own in a couple of days.
Lockjaw, on the other hand, can last from a few days to two weeks, but that, too, isn’t something to worry about. Considering how your mouth remains open for long, your jaw muscles can start to spasm, leading to pain and difficulty in opening the mouth. Following a proper diet of soft foods and taking necessary precautions can put an end to it sooner rather than later.
It is also important to keep in mind that jaw pain is not always rooted in the jaw. Sometimes, the ache you feel is referred pain. That is to say, the intensity of the procedure can make your entire mouth and face hurt, with the pain transferring from the affected tooth to the jaw, ears, eyes, and even your sinuses.
There are also cases where an uneven filling can offset your jaw and bite. However, to get that in order, you would need to go back to your dentist to smoothen the filling so everything is at the base level again.
Tips to Prevent Jaw Pain After Filling
If you’re about to get a dental filling to repair your cavity-infected tooth, make sure to follow the tips mentioned below to avoid jaw pain after.
- Ask your dentist for breaks in the middle, especially if you feel like your mouth is getting tired or going into freeze mode. It is necessary to soothe your jaw muscles from time to time.
- For pre-existing conditions like bruxism or TMJ, let your dentist know beforehand. This will allow them to work on the treatment while keeping your dental history in mind to lessen the pain.
- A bite block is a small rubber block that keeps your mouth open. It doesn’t apply pressure on your jaw and instead works to stretch your muscles, relaxing them. Consult your dentist about using a bite block during the procedure.
- Try not to panic. As long as you are relaxed, the procedure will be over in no time. Usually, people freeze up during the filling treatment, which causes their jaw to tense up. Allowing yourself to loosen up will make it easier to bear with.
How to Relieve Jaw Pain After Filling
Relieving jaw pain after filling is quite easy. All you have to do is:
- Alternate between an ice-cold compress and a warm compress to soothe the ache in the jaw.
- Limit your diet to soft foods so that it is easier to chew.
- Follow all the instructions given by the dentist to a T.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Try simple jaw exercises to loosen the cramped muscles.
Get In Touch With a Dentist Today!
For more information on jaw pain after filling, feel free to contact Almond Dental at either of the following locations:
- St. Anthony Location: 3803 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55421, United States
Contact Number: (612) 782-7000 - Maple Grove Location: 11301 Fountains Dr, Maple Grove, MN 55369, United States
Contact Number: (763 ) 762-7177