Please help! What is wrong with my filling??

Question

As a child, I never took care of my teeth, plus my parents don't have the best of teeth so I ended up with bad teeth. About 2 months ago, I got a filling in a major cavity. The cavity went all the way through the tooth, not a gigantic hole, but if I tabbed my tongue against one side I could feel my tongue on my cheek. The filling was fine, but it was sensetive for a while. During the past few weeks, I have lost all sensetivity in it, but about an hour and a half ago, I got a horrible pain in it. It became extremely painful to eat or drink anything, even at normal room temperature. I even avoided drinking some water because after 4 seconds I feel pain in the filling. I brush my teeth in the morning and at night, and I floss at night.

Any idea about what it could be? It doesn't hurt if there isn't any food, water, or cold air in my mouth, I am actually chewing sugar free gum right now without any pain.

And the strange thing is, I never drink soda, just water, and I have given up sugary snacks (except for the past few days I have been indulging :D.)

Answer 1

I'm a dentist. It is good that you are only having sensitivity during hot and cold drinks. When you start having spontaneous pain, that is not good. However, you still might need a root canal. When you drink does the pain linger after consumption or is it sharp and quickly dissapates? If it lingers, that is not a good sign, and might be an indication for a root canal. You should go to your dentist and tell them your symptoms. Your should be able to look in your mouth, do a few tests and quickly resolve your problem. Your dentist does not want you to be in pain. Tooth aches do not go away on their own, and neglecting them, can cause you to lose them. Hope this helps:)

Answer 2

Your tooth may have a crack in it. Sometimes if the crack is vertical even an xray doesn't show it. Go see a dentist even if you have to borrow money. I was married to a dentist and I saw so many young people lose teeth needlessly and suffer. Not worth it. You obviously are trying to take care of your teeth. Good luck with it. By the way, don't ever let a filling in your mouth which is too large. It will eventually push away your enamel, just like it was exploding. The best thing for molars is a cap. See if you can find some dental insurance. It is not very expensive and I think with your history you will definitely need it.

Answer 3

when you get a tooth filled, sometimes the nerve gets irritated and needs a chance to calm down. this can take up to a few months sometimes. it is best to not eat hard stuff or drink hot and cold drinks/hot and cold foods for a while; you don't want to irritate it any further. it also may need a temporary medicated filling (ZOE) put in for a few months until it calms down.

Answer 4

you know if i were you, i'd schedule an appointment to my dentist right away. you should do that.