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Pain after dental work

Depending on the specific dental procedure you have undergone, there is often likely to be some pain, soreness or sensitivity in the affected area for a few days afterwards as your body continues to heal. However, sometimes you may notice different types of pain appear, perhaps in an area that you wouldn’t expect. Or, maybe the pain you felt immediately following the treatment has continued to get worse, rather than better, in the days following. This can sometimes be a sign that there is an underlying infection or a more serious issue or condition.

We always recommend that if you experience pain that doesn’t go away after a few days, gets worse or is combined with other symptoms, you should always return to your dentist to seek advice and possible further treatment.

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Tooth pain after dental work

One of the most common types of post-dental work pain, which might be in relation to many different types of treatment or procedures, is pain or noticeable sensitivity. This could be pain after dental work like fillings or other restorative dentistry, or it could be that you notice pain around a tooth that was treated. If the pain gets worse or seems to spread, it could be a sign of infection and you should consult your dentist as soon as possible.

Infections and pain after dental treatment are not always a sign that your dentist has done something wrong or caused further problems through negligence, but if the standard of care you received was not up to scratch, and you have suffered as a result, you may be able to make a claim for dental negligence.

Mouth or gum pain after dental work

Some dental patients experience gum or mouth pain after dental work simply because the treatment they received has left the area a little sore or sensitive. This is to be expected for many types of dental procedure and isn’t necessarily a sign that anything is wrong. However, if the pain doesn’t improve after a few days, this can be as sign that there is another problem.

Some people find that the roof of their mouth is sore after dental work. Most of the time, this is nothing to worry about and will get better on its own, but if you experience this or sore gums after dental work that gets worse or are accompanied by other symptoms – like swelling, bleeding or pus in the area – you need to consult your dentist as soon as you can.

When local anaesthetic is used for a procedure some patients may feel pain at the injection site after dental work. This pain should reduce within a few days of the dental treatment. If it doesn’t go away, or gets worse, you should go back to your dentist to see if there are any other issues.

If your dentist hasn’t taken the care they should have during your dental treatment, or has made a mistake during a procedure, it could be possible that they have caused you an injury. If this has happened to you and you have suffered further problems or need significant additional treatment to resolve the issue, you may be able to make a dental negligence compensation claim. Contact us for a free initial consultation to find out if you have a claim.

How to treat sore gums after dental work

If your gum soreness is simply the body healing itself after your dental treatment and is not a sign of additional conditions or an infection, there are several things that may help with swelling and gum pain. These include:

  • Use your toothbrush with care for a few days when brushing your teeth
  • Pain relief products available from a pharmacy – anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling
  • Eating soft foods for a few days

Ear pain after dental work

It’s not uncommon for people to find that they have some ear pain after having some treatment from their dentist, sometimes in combination with other types of pain e.g. a sore throat and earache after dental work. Experiencing pain in the ear after dental work, ringing or buzzing sounds or a feeling that your ear is clogged, can sometimes be related to muscle strain after having your mouth open for a prolonged period of time whilst being treated. If so, it should soon fade on its own. However, if the pain doesn’t go away after a few days or gets worse, it could be a sign that you have an infection or even that your teeth are no longer properly aligned, meaning your bite is affected. If this infection or problem was caused by your dentist making a mistake or not providing a good standard of care, and the issue causes you further problems or requires significant work to repair, you may be able to make a compensation claim. Call us today to find out if you might have a claim on 0808 120 8730.

Tongue or cheek pain after dental work

Depending on the type of treatment you have had from your dentist, a certain amount of swelling can occur which may result in a sore cheek after dental work. Some people may also experience a small amount of numbness or tongue pain after dental work like extractions, fillings or where local anaesthetic has been used. Inflammation, such as a painful lump in the cheek after dental work, should start to go down within a couple of days, and any numbness should fade as the anaesthetic wears off. If you experience numbness, tingling or a sore tongue after dental work that lasts for longer than a couple of days or gets worse, it could be a sign of an infection or even nerve damage. You should go back and see your dentist if these symptoms don’t go away on their own. If the problem was caused by a mistake your dentist has made, and it goes on to cause further issues, such as permanent nerve damage or more treatment being required, you may be entitled to claim compensation for dental negligence. Get in touch for more information.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain after dental work

The temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ, is the jaw joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. This is the joint that allows you to talk, chew and yawn. If you experience TMJ jaw pain after dental work, the reason for this is usually related to having your mouth open for long periods whilst undergoing dental treatment, so is more common after long procedures, like root canals. The pain should fade on its own after a couple of days, but if it does not go away, or gets worse, you will need to go back to your dentist to see if there is something more serious going on

Neck pain after dental work

Although not common, some people can experience mild, moderate or severe neck pain after dental work. This is usually due to strain being put on the neck whilst you are undergoing dental treatment. With the head being tilted backwards, if you are tense during the treatment, this can cause muscle pain. The same can be said for those who experience some shoulder pain after dental work, as it’s usually caused by spending a prolonged period in an unnatural body position, especially whilst feeling tense or anxious. The pain should reduce within a couple of days. If it doesn’t go away, or gets worse, you may need to visit your GP.

Trigeminal nerve pain after dental work

The Trigeminal nerve is responsible for us feeling sensation in the face, lips and tongue and is very important for chewing and biting. Nerve pain after dental work might accompany other symptoms, such as numbness or lack of feeling in the tongue, cheeks, jaw, gums or face. You might feel a burning sensation in these areas or might notice that you have a loss of taste. People with trigeminal pain after dental work may also find it difficult to eat or speak. If your dentist was negligent in your care and the nerve damage was caused as a result of their action or error, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim for dental negligence, especially if the nerve damage is permanent and has had a huge detrimental impact on your life. Get in touch with the expert team at the Dental Law Partnership for free initial legal advice to find out if you can claim.

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