In this blog, I am going to go over why teeth can be sensitive to either hot or cold after getting a dental filling, what that means, and 4 ways to avoid getting a root canal.
What is Happening?
I am sure you had sensitivity after getting a filling. Those hot and cold sensations mean different things depending on how deep the cavity was, the materials used and how the procedure was performed. To begin with, you need to look at the anatomy of a tooth. You have a hard outer layer of enamel, sponge-like dentin, then the nerve. The closer you get to the nerve, the more likely you will get a sensation, either hot or cold, later, after all the anesthetic is worn off.
4 Important Recommendations
Here are 4 things you can do to help with cold sensitivity and ultimately try to avoid that root canal.
1) Prevention
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings irritate the nerve. A lot of times cold sensation is caused by all the glues and acids that are used in placing these types of fillings. Another cause of the sensitivity is the bacteria that are trapped in the process. Insist that the tooth be sterilized with either ozone, anti-microbial solutions or lasers before the filling is placed.
2) Get that bite adjusted
When you are numb, especially on the lower teeth, your muscles don’t work the same way. So it is very possible that the bite could be off. As soon as you feel your bite is off, even after everything wears off, DON”T WAIT. Head back to the dentist and get that bite adjusted. That alone could help with get rid of the sensation. Sometimes you may need additional adjustments.
3) Sedative filling
If the cold sensation continues even after adjusting the bite, ask your dentist to put in a sedative filling. This can help calm the nerve and after a few months, the permanent filling can be placed. This may prevent the nerve from dying.
4) Hot Sensation
So, what happens with hot. Hot indicates that the nerve is dying. What then? Well, it is either extraction or root canal. My suggestion is to consider getting the tooth extracted. Dentistry today offers so many options for tooth replacement today that are more desirable than root canals, which I discuss in other videos, like the one below!
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As holistic dentists, we've recommended products and services that supported our patients’ health for decades. In experiencing our own health challenges from mercury toxicity, we worked closely with many natural, alternative, and integrative health practitioners who aided our recovery as well as our patients’. We built this site to provide you with a simple-to-use, comprehensive, informational, and functional resource for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health & well-being.