Jaw Pain after Cavity Filling?

[100AcreWood]

I went to a new dentist a few weeks ago. They found a cavity in my top far back tooth on the right side. I had it filled on Tuesday. Since then my jaw is hurts at the joint. Has anyone experienced this before?

I read that it could be caused by trauma from the injection in the jaw muscle. But I was hoping it would go away by now. The pain gets worse as the day goes on. I left a message for the dentist and haven't received a call back.

 

[wgeo]

Totally not a dentist, but I've always had pain after things like fillings. I figured that I'm just overly sensitive lol. I usually end up needing Advil for a day or two after fillings. Not sure since you said Tuesday and that seems like a bit much. Most dentists don't work from Fri - Sun. But if it's still bugging you on Monday I would call in the morning and pop in and have them take a quick look.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I went to a new dentist a few weeks ago. They found a cavity in my top far back tooth on the right side. I had it filled on Tuesday. Since then my jaw is hurts at the joint. Has anyone experienced this before?

I read that it could be caused by trauma from the injection in the jaw muscle. But I was hoping it would go away by now. The pain gets worse as the day goes on. I left a message for the dentist and haven't received a call back.

What sort of pain? I've had jaw pain from holding my mouth wide open (especially for the back teeth) for procedures. Also had some pain from the injection. Could also be nerve reaction on the tooth itself from the work done.

Have you tried any pain meds? Ibuprofen is good for this..

 

[PollyannaMom]

Did you feel a shot of pain travel up in that direction when the dentist numbed your mouth for the filling? If so, the novocaine could have hit a nerve. I had that happen once, and it did get a bit better each day, but I think it was almost two weeks before I didn't notice it at all. I expect they'll call back on Monday, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to have them take a look if it's still bothering you.

 

[ronandannette]

My bet would be on muscle strain from having your mouth open so wide. I'd mention it to the dentist and he might want to check if you're "clicking" in the joint now - I suppose it's possible you may have even misaligned something a bit. That temporomandibular joint is connected to a lot of muscles and nerves and inflammation in there can be extremely painful.

 

[mom2rtk]

It is not uncommon for a nerve to be irritated after a filling. I had one take several weeks to settle down a few years back. But definitely check in with the dentist on Monday.

 

[100AcreWood]

It’s a dull ache that gets worse throughout the day. It’s definitely in the joint. I’ve been taking 3-4 Advil’s every 6-8 hours to manage the pain. It’s not getting better so I called the dentist on call but I didn’t receive a call back. I will call the office on Monday.

Strangely I have also noticed the pain gets worse with stress. I had a stressful event today and my TMJ joint was really hurting.

Anything else I can do to help inflammation? I tried a warm towel and massaging the joint but neither helped. Thanks for replying everyone!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It’s a dull ache that gets worse throughout the day. It’s definitely in the joint. I’ve been taking 3-4 Advil’s every 6-8 hours to manage the pain. It’s not getting better so I called the dentist on call but I didn’t receive a call back. I will call the office on Monday.

Strangely I have also noticed the pain gets worse with stress. I had a stressful event today and my TMJ joint was really hurting.

Anything else I can do to help inflammation? I tried a warm towel and massaging the joint but neither helped. Thanks for replying everyone!

I found these suggestions for TMJ pain relief:

1. Resting your jaws.
2. Staying hydrated.
3. Applying ice alternated with moist heat.
4. Applying analgesic or anti-inflammatory creams.
5. Gentle passive stretching of your jaw.
6. Correcting your posture.
7. Sleeping on your back.

 

[focusondisney]

Ugh, I feel your pain OP, literally. I've had this happen to me too. I had a root canal done in a back tooth a few years ago & I swear, I even had an earache from it. My dentist tells me I have a small mouth. I really think it was from having my jaw open so wide for so long. My jaw felt "off" for several weeks. I had a cavity filled a few weeks ago, also in a very back molar. My cheek was swollen before I even left the office. Was still swollen 3 days later. I am a nurse & work 12 hour shifts, talking all day. I worked 2 days after the filling & by the time I got home, I was in so much pain just from using the jaw all day as I talked. It took a good 10 -12 days to feel back to normal. I have been going to my dentist for about 30 years, he's great & I know it was nothing done wrong. Just the trauma to the tissue & muscle strain from being open so long. Motrin (600 mg every 6 hours or so) worked great, thank goodness. In the first instance, with the root canal, I also found I had to tell myself to relax my jaw & sometimes kind of "reposition" it back into alignment, if that makes sense. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Micca]

My bet would be on muscle strain from having your mouth open so wide

Yep, that and the jaw can be sore from the novocaine injection(s) I have the world's best dentist, there is no pain during any procedure including root canal and an extraction. There is some residual pain afterwards which can be dealt with by OTC pain relievers. Sometimes just having your mouth open for so long makes the muscles in your jaw sore.

 

[neverlandsky]

It’s a good sign that pain gets worse as the day goes on due to talking, gravity, and eating. Can take up to 8-12 weeks to finally settle down. Definitely focus on soft foods and foods you don’t have to open wide for. I was told 3 Motrin and 2 Tylenol at once for severe pain or alternate both.

 

[100AcreWood]

Thank you guys! You made me feel a lot better this weekend.

I saw the dentist this morning and he said I was biting the inside of my cheek at night so he shaved two teeth near the red area inside my cheek. He also thinks I "pulled" a muscle in my jaw from having my mouth open so wide and for so long for the cavity filling. He really took his time but I was there for 45 minutes. I have never experienced this before so I hope it never happens again. He gave me a prescription for night and told me to keep using ibuprofen and it should feel better by Thursday. I hope so!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Yeah I always tend to find that my jaw aches after filling work for a few days. I presume it's because the equipment has weight and yes, they are holding it, but they still do have to apply pressure to work.

Sometimes the dentist has access to mouth holders/guards - they are awkward to wear but once they crank them open and lock them, you don't have to do anything but lie there because the device is holding your mouth open.

I find swishing hot beverages around in my mouth helps alleviate some of the pain but you're probably going to get the best benefit from the ibuprofen! Happy Healing!

 

[Gough76]

I have the same question, I had 8 fillings all my back teeth, I was sedated since I did all at the same time and I was under for like 4 hours I think.. the pain is only on my right side of the jaw.. it’s been over a week now and pain is just as bad. Is it just taking longer because my mouth was open for so long? When should I go back in if it keeps bothering me?

 

[focusondisney]

I have the same question, I had 8 fillings all my back teeth, I was sedated since I did all at the same time and I was under for like 4 hours I think.. the pain is only on my right side of the jaw.. it’s been over a week now and pain is just as bad. Is it just taking longer because my mouth was open for so long? When should I go back in if it keeps bothering me?

I would call today & at least see what the dentist says. If not, you might not even get ahold of them until next Wednesday.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My one other thought is this:
Could the filling be a more higher profile than the tooth was. Like, when you chew, is the one back tooth hitting that filling, and maybe putting pressure there?
If that is a possibility, then it could probably be remedied by having the Dentist file it down a bit???
My dentist was good about making sure I closed securely and made sure that nothing was hitting there.

Hope it works out and/or gets better soon!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

... I saw the dentist this morning and he said I was biting the inside of my cheek at night so he shaved two teeth near the red area inside my cheek. ... so!

OT: I would question the shaving or altering of teeth. This takes away or takes from the hard enamel layer and years later the enamel wears through and the softer core is exposed which can catch decay more easily.

Better would be a mouth guard (similar to what people wear during sports) worn at night to reduce tooth grinding and wear while sleeping.

 

[GusGus77]

I always have to have my jaw realigned by the chiropractor after holding my mouth open for dental work. It always throws my jaw out of whack.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, my suggestion was to correct the filling if it was higher profile than original, and was creating any pressure or throwing the 'bite' off.
i would never want to have any natural tooth shaved off!!!! Not unless there was a real and true ergonomical and health issue!!!!

Don't want to get me started on my experience with this, when I was a kid... UGGGHHHH!!!!

And, yes, a GOOD Chiropractor can be invaluable.
But, good ones can be hard to find!!!!!

 

[mousefanmichelle]

My dd had pain like this after she got a filling this summer. She went back well over a month later and they told her she may need a root canal and referred her to an entodontist (sp?). We saw one and they said no to the root canal but that the jaw pain could be coming from her wisdom teeth and he suggested they be removed. We had that done yesterday so I can't say if the pain is gone for her yet but I will keep you posted.