Why Do I Feel Sick After Getting a Cavity Filled?

Mile High Smiles in Lakewood, CO

What You need to Know...

Cavities are areas of “decay” where acids from bacteria have worn away the teeth causing damage. When we ingest sugary foods or drinks this makes our teeth more susceptible to cavities and weakens our natural tooth structure. Over time, if the decay is not removed and replaced with a “filling”, the cavity can become bigger and over time affect the nerve of the tooth. As a result, this can lead to a root canal or other treatment options. This is why it is so important to take care of cavities as soon as possible!

If you have had a cavity filled recently and feel sick after, this could be for a variety of reasons. For starters, when you receive a filling the dentist may have given you a few injections of local anesthetic, while the tip of the syringe is sterile; it is possible to receive an infection at the injection site. If you notice any abnormal tenderness or discoloration close to the injection site, notify your dentist immediately. An oral exam can be done to evaluate the area and determine the proper treatment needed.

On the other hand, depending on the severity or “how deep” the cavity was, this can produce a tender or “ill” feeling after any anesthetic has worn off. It is not uncommon for a deep filling to feel sore or discomforting for a day or so, as a matter of fact if you are able, this can be best treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil. After a day or so, the tenderness should subside. If for any reason the tenderness persists, contact the dentist and notify them of this. In certain cases, if your bite (how your teeth come together) is off, this can also trigger a sensitive or “ill” feeling and may not go away until the bite is properly adjusted.

Additionally, pain can trigger a sick or nauseated feeling from the filling process due to the drilling process that comes in contact with the tooth. If you are someone that tends to have a lower pain tolerance, talk to your dentist immediately about this so that they can come up with a plan for you to be pain-free following any needed dental treatment.