I got four fillings 12 years ago, and two fell out. The fills that fell out don’t hurt, but one of the remaining fillings causes severe pain when I chew on that side of my mouth. Swishing my mouth with cool water relieves the pain but only briefly. Why would a stable filling hurt? Thanks. Braxton from OK

 

Braxton,

The tooth with the filling that hurts when you chew has symptoms of dying tooth pulp. You will need root canal treatment to save the tooth. Bacteria may have seeped beneath the filling, causing decay. As the tooth pulp dies, gases from bacteria increase pressure inside the tooth and cause a toothache.

Why Does Cool Water Decrease Tooth Pain?

Cool water decreases the gases released from bacteria inside a tooth and temporarily eases tooth pain. It is like the relief from applying an ice pack to reduce swelling in a sprained wrist or ankle.

You can get relief from root canal treatment to remove the infected tissue inside your tooth. After the root canal, your dentist will seal the tooth after replacing the diseased pulp with dental filler material. A dental crown will protect the tooth from further weakening.

Your dentist will recommend replacing the fillings that fell out. Checking the remaining fillings can prevent future concerns.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.  Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.