Why Does It Hurt to Chew After Dental Work?

After undergoing a dental procedure, it is not uncommon to experience discomfort and pain while chewing. This distress can range from mild sensitivity to piercing pain that affects your ability to enjoy your favorite foods.

Understanding why this occurs and what steps you can take to mitigate this discomfort is essential for maintaining your comfort and oral health.

Keep reading as we explore the various reasons it might be uncomfortable or painful to chew after dental work and provide guidelines on managing it.

Understanding Post-Dental Procedure Pain

Dental procedures are essential for maintaining oral health and overall well-being. However, the experience can sometimes be discouraging if you encounter pain or discomfort afterward.

It’s common to feel some level of pain or discomfort in your mouth for several days post-procedure. For some individuals, slight tenderness while chewing is normal immediately after dental work. This discomfort should not be too severe and typically subsides within a few days.

However, if the pain persists or worsens, it’s crucial to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist to identify the cause.

What to Expect After a Dental Procedure in Aurora

During a dental procedure, your dentist is reinforcing or restoring a damaged tooth. Most dental work involves altering the teeth and surrounding tissues, which can cause temporary inflammation and irritation.

The mouth is incredibly sensitive, and any trauma can lead to pain and discomfort. For instance, after a dental filling or crown procedure, you might notice that your bite feels different.

At the end of the procedure, your dentist will check your bite. However, due to post-procedure numbness, it can be difficult for patients to discern what feels normal. As the numbness wears off, changes in the bite become more noticeable.

Common sensations include zings, mouth tenderness, pain, or cold sensitivity when biting down. A new dental filling might initially be higher than your other teeth, necessitating adjustments. The structure and layout of the tooth after a dental filling will inevitably differ from before the procedure.

Unfortunately, some individuals are more sensitive to these changes. If you experience significant discomfort, contact your dentist immediately for an adjustment to resolve the issue.

Having said that, here are some of the most common types of post-dental work discomfort include:

Local Anesthesia

The injection site where the dentist administered anesthesia may feel sore for a couple of days following the procedure.

Tissue Irritation

You might also experience irritation on the gums and the soft tissues surrounding the teeth due to dental instruments or from keeping your mouth open for an extended period.

Inflammation and Nerve Sensitivity

After dental work, it’s common for tooth and gum tissues to feel inflamed, leading to increased sensitivity or tooth pain, especially while chewing. Sensitivity post-procedure is prevalent and usually fades over time.

Different Types of Dental Work and Their Impact

If you’ve visited the dentist with a damaged or infected tooth, you’re likely familiar with the various treatment options. Here are different types of dental procedures and their impacts on your mouth:

Dental Fillings

Used to treat cavities by removing decayed tissue and filling the gap with materials such as amalgam (silver filling) or composite resin.

After a filling, your tooth may be sensitive to touch, temperature, and pressure for a few days. The deeper the cavity, the more likely the nerves will be agitated.

Dental Crowns

This procedure involves placing a cap over your tooth to restore its size, shape, and strength, commonly used after a root canal to protect a weak tooth.

Adjusting to the new structure can cause discomfort and sensitivity for some time.

Root Canal

A root canal is a dental procedure that removes diseased nerve tissue from inside the tooth. This process often results in pain until the surrounding tissues fully recover.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth, which can create an exposed wound in your mouth. Chewing near the extraction site can cause pain until it completely heals.

Braces and Adjustments

Orthodontic treatments, such as braces, can cause significant discomfort as your teeth gradually move into new positions. This pressure can make chewing difficult, especially after an adjustment.

Since these dental procedures alter the original tooth structure, it is common to experience temporary pain or discomfort following dental work.

Common Causes of Chewing Pain after Dental Work

Chewing pain after dental procedures, such as crown placements or fillings, can stem from several reasons. Here are some potential causes:

1. Improper Bite Alignment

When you undergo a crowning or dental filling procedure, your dentist removes the decayed parts of the tooth and replaces them with resin or composite material that matches your tooth’s color and shape.

Achieving the perfect shape takes considerable effort, and often, the crown or filling may not fit perfectly. If the filling sits higher than the surrounding teeth, you may experience pain when biting down.

This misalignment causes discomfort because the biting force is concentrated on the elevated filling rather than being evenly distributed. This pressure can irritate the nerves inside the tooth, causing pain.

Fortunately, your dentist can easily fix this by filing down the filling to match your bite. This quick adjustment typically doesn’t require anesthesia

2. Occlusal Adjustment

The alignment of your upper and lower teeth, known as occlusion, can be altered by a new crown. This change can make chewing uncomfortable and painful as the crown can disrupt your natural bite alignment.

3. Jaw Tenderness

Jaw tenderness is a common issue for dental patients, especially after lengthy procedures that require keeping your mouth open for extended periods.

This can cause your jaw muscles to become tired and sore, leading to tenderness radiating from the back of your mouth. While this might feel like tooth pain, it’s often due to muscle or joint soreness.

To alleviate jaw tenderness, focus on relaxing your mouth when resting and avoid clenching your teeth, which can worsen the pain. Your dentist may prescribe ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and muscle pain.

Additionally, gently massaging your jaw and cheek areas can help relieve built-up tension.

If these remedies don’t provide relief, consult your dentist about temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), which occurs when jaw joint pain becomes chronic and worsens after dental procedures.

Symptoms of TMJ include pain while chewing, a popping sound, and difficulty opening your mouth fully. This condition can often be managed with a muscle relaxant or a mouth guard.

4. Pulpitis

Pulpitis is a common post-dental work issue that involves inflammation of the pulp deep within the tooth, often causing tooth pain and sensitivity. This inflammation can lead to pain and discomfort while chewing. Though it typically doesn’t occur with minor fillings, it is more likely if:

Your tooth has undergone multiple procedures or fillings.
Your tooth has experienced trauma, such as from an accident resulting in a broken or cracked tooth.
You have a very deep cavity approaching the inner pulp layer.

Pulpitis can be categorized into two types:

Reversible Pulpitis: This involves mild irritation or inflammation where the pulp remains healthy, allowing the tooth to heal on its own.
Irreversible Pulpitis: This occurs when the nerve inside the tooth is damaged and begins to die, necessitating a root canal to save the tooth.

Typically, your dentist will treat pulpitis with a new filling or other restorative treatments like a root canal. You may also need to take antibiotics to prevent or cure any bacterial infection.

5. Large-Scale Treatment

Some dental procedures are more invasive. For instance, a small cavity can be treated with minimal incident. However, the larger the cavity, the deeper the dentist must dig, often closer to the nerve. Even if a large cavity is fixed without a root canal, the procedure can irritate the nerve, causing residual sensitivity, discomfort, and pain for days or even weeks after healing.

To minimize pain, use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication and treat your tooth gently until it heals. Additionally, avoid foods with extreme temperatures to reduce sensitivity and apply gentle pressure when flossing and brushing.

6. Tooth Fracture

A tooth can fracture during the crown preparation process, particularly if it has become weak and brittle.

It can also crack during a filling procedure, especially if it has already been damaged by decay. This fracture can make chewing difficult for a while.

7. Allergic Reaction

Some individuals might experience an allergic reaction to the materials used in dental fillings, such as certain resins or amalgam (silver fillings).

According to a 2015 review, amalgam is a common cause of allergic reactions. Additionally, some people may be allergic to other materials used during the procedure, such as latex in the gloves worn by dentists.

8. Nerve Irritation

Temporary sensitivity in the tooth after a filling often occurs because the procedure has likely caused inflammation near the nerve. The outer layers of the tooth (cementum and enamel) protect the nerve from exposure. However, a deep filling can come close to the nerve endings, causing agitation and discomfort, particularly when chewing.

This sensitivity usually subsides over time as the nerve heals, which can take weeks. Once healed, you will barely notice the difference between your filled tooth and your natural teeth.

How to Manage Chewing Pain After Dental Work

Experiencing pain while chewing after a dental procedure like a filling, root canal, extraction, or crown placement can be distressing. Here are some effective ways to manage your post-procedure pain.

Monitor and Regulate Symptoms

Some discomfort is expected immediately after dental work. However, if the pain doesn’t improve over time or worsens, seek prompt medical attention.

Pain Relief

Temporary pain and inflammation can be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Remember, these are not permanent solutions. It’s always a good idea to consult your dentist for a proper diagnosis and to address the underlying cause of the pain.

Follow Up with Your Dentist

If pain persists for more than a week or two, visit your dentist. Prolonged pain may indicate an underlying issue like an infection, nerve damage, or the need for adjustments. Immediate assessment and treatment can prevent serious complications. Your dentist will check for sore gums, high spots, and ensure that your crown or filling is correctly positioned.

For example, if there are high spots on your crown or filling, your dentist will adjust them for more comfortable bites. Using marking paper, they can identify areas that need correction.

Ensuring your dental work fits perfectly can significantly reduce post-procedure pain. Usually, it takes about two weeks or less for total resolution after adjustments.

Adhere to Post-Procedure Care Instructions

Following your dentist’s aftercare advice is crucial to prevent further complications. Opt for soft foods that require minimal chewing, and avoid hard or chewy foods that can exert too much pressure on your teeth. This will help prevent pain and protect the affected tooth from worsening.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is also essential to keep infections at bay and reduce discomfort. Regular brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help ensure a healthy recovery.

By monitoring symptoms, seeking timely dental advice, and adhering to post-procedure care, you can effectively manage chewing pain and enjoy a smoother recovery after dental work.

Smiles of Aurora: How We Can Help

At Smiles of Aurora, we understand how concerning dental pain and discomfort can be. Rest assured, our team of dedicated experts offers excellent restorative dentistry procedures and personalized care to address all your needs.

Customized Treatment

We provide personalized treatment plans to ensure your dental work perfectly aligns with your natural tooth structure and bite. This tailored approach guarantees optimal results and comfort.

Comprehensive Care

Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. From routine checkups to full-scale dental procedures, our staff is devoted to delivering superior oral care in a pleasant environment. You can trust that our practices are designed with your well-being in mind.

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Expert Follow-up

If you experience prolonged post-procedure discomfort, our comprehensive follow-up care can significantly benefit you. Our team will assess your situation and make any necessary adjustments to optimize your oral health and comfort.

If you’re unsure which restorative dentistry procedure is right for you, don’t worry. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experts, and we’ll assist you right away.

Wrapping Up

Chewing pain and discomfort after a dental procedure is relatively common, often caused by a high bite, inflammation, nerve sensitivity, or gum irritation. Mild pain isn’t usually a cause for concern and should fade within a few days or weeks. However, persistent pain requires immediate attention and consultation.

By addressing any underlying issues, your dentist can ensure complete recovery and provide post-procedure dental care for effective pain management.

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