Dental patients are often concerned when they hear their dentist say, “you have a cavity.” Understand that just because you have a cavity, it does not have to be a traumatic experience to get it filled or fixed. Our patients are often surprised at how little pain, swelling or discomfort is caused when Dr. Brian Levitin successfully fills a cavity. Let’s discuss why some people may have face swelling after getting a cavity filled.
Holes in teeth are called cavities. Cavities occur when dental plaque persists on the surface of the teeth due to poor dental hygiene. Left untreated, cavities can cause decay to continue to erode the teeth and extend into their deepest layers.
Since children’s teeth are softer and contain thinner enamel, children are at a higher risk of developing cavities. Part of this is due to them eating junk food like sodas, candy bars and cookies. However, cavities are common among people of all ages. If you have a cavity, it is important to get it treated right away. In most cases, cavities are treated with fillings. Fillings involve a dentist drilling away the damaged teeth and filling in the defects with a restorative material.
After your cavity gets filled, you should know that it’s normal to experience tooth sensitivity. This type of discomfort should resolve on its own within two weeks to a month or even sooner. In the event you face swollen gums, or any type of face swelling, after a cavity filling, you may have another issue. Our Richmond, VA dental friends, River Run Dental always state that you should contact your dental staff if there are concerns two weeks after a cavity being filled. We agree wholeheartedly. While some patients want to “tough it out” or not be a burden or concern on their dentist, we want to make certain you are not in any pain or discomfort for a prolonged period of time.
One of the most common causes of swollen gums is periodontal disease, which involves inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. This condition is usually the result of inadequate oral hygiene, which also causes cavities. Swollen gums may also be the result of infections, viruses, vitamin C deficiency, hormonal fluctuations, or drug side effects. If you have lost or misplaced your after care instructions do not hesitate to call us today. We can email you the after care instructions so your tooth heals as quickly as possible. Also make sure to consider your diet before making a self diagnoses. Many of our patients that have swollen gums have a diet that causes the issues.
Contact Mile High Smiles
If you experience swelling after getting a cavity filled, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our Lakewood, Colorado office by calling (303) 232-1830. We’ll help determine the cause of the issue and ensure your filling is performing its intended function. You may have to return to the office to allow Dr. Levitin to see the recovery of the tooth and gums firsthand.
