Last updated: October 2026. Sources: NHS.uk, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), NHS trust and health board dental services, the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), GOV.WALES, NHS inform, the Business Services Organisation (Northern Ireland), the Office for National Statistics and peer-reviewed dental research. All aftercare advice and NHS charges verified on 9 October 2026.
TL;DR Some tooth pain after a filling is normal. Sensitivity to cold, sweet things or biting usually settles within a few weeks, and NHS dental services advise contacting your practice if it has not eased after about 4 weeks. Pain that throbs, lingers, keeps you awake or is not helped by painkillers needs a dentist sooner.
A new filling is meant to stop tooth pain, so it can be worrying when the tooth feels worse in the days afterwards. In most cases this is a short-lived reaction to treatment rather than a sign that something has gone wrong. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust tells patients simply that "your tooth may feel sensitive for a short while afterwards". [2]
This guide explains what NHS (National Health Service) dental services say is normal after a filling, how long sensitivity tends to last, the common reasons a filled tooth hurts, how to ease the pain at home, and the signs that mean you should go back to the dentist. It also covers what going back costs on the NHS across the UK, including the free repair rules for fillings. Your own dentist knows your tooth and your treatment, so their advice always comes first.
Is it normal for a tooth to hurt after a filling
A tooth that feels sensitive or a little sore after a filling is a recognised and usually temporary effect of treatment. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust lists "tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling" as a possible complication and says it "should normally resolve within a few weeks". [3] NHS Western Isles gives similar advice: "Teeth may become sensitive or feel different to bite on. If this does not settle down in a few weeks then contact your dentist." [4]
Research on white (composite) fillings in back teeth shows the same pattern. A clinical study of 292 posterior composite fillings found sensitivity 24 hours after treatment in 26% of large fillings covering three surfaces of the tooth, 15% of fillings covering two surfaces and 5% of small fillings on the biting surface only, with sensitivity falling in every group at 7, 30 and 90 days. [5] The researchers concluded that "the occurrence of sensitivity is correlated with the complexity of the restoration", so a bigger or deeper filling is more likely to feel tender for a while. [5]
What is not normal is pain that keeps getting worse, pain that throbs or lingers for a long time, or pain that painkillers do not touch. Those are signs to contact your dentist rather than wait, and the sections below explain why.
How long does a tooth hurt after a filling: a timeline
How long a tooth hurts after a filling depends on the size and depth of the filling, but NHS dental services give a consistent outline. The table summarises what to expect and when to act.
| Time after the filling | What is typical | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First few hours | Your lip, tongue and cheek may be numb from the local anaesthetic | Take care not to bite or chew your cheek, tongue or lip, and avoid very hot food and drinks until the numbness wears off [4] |
| First day or two | Sensitivity is at its most common; in one study up to about 1 in 4 large back-tooth fillings were sensitive at 24 hours [5] | Use ibuprofen or paracetamol if needed, following the pack instructions [1] |
| First few weeks | Sensitivity to cold, sweet things or biting should gradually ease [3] [4] [5] | Keep brushing normally and let the practice know if anything worries you [4] |
| About 4 weeks | Most sensitivity should have settled | Contact the practice if the sensitivity has not subsided within 4 weeks [3] |
| At any point | Severe pain, pain not helped by painkillers, a high temperature or swelling | Contact your dentist, NHS 111 or, for swelling around the eye or neck or difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to A&E [1] [4] |
NHS.uk advises seeing a dentist for any toothache that lasts more than 2 days or does not go away when you take painkillers. [1] A brief twinge from cold water that fades in a moment is different from a constant ache, so if the pain is continuous rather than triggered, do not wait out the full 4 weeks.
Why a tooth hurts after a filling: the common causes
Several things can make a filled tooth hurt, and most of them settle on their own. The main causes described by NHS services and dental research are below.
- The treatment itself. Removing decay and preparing the tooth irritates the nerve (the pulp) inside it, especially when the cavity was deep. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust warns that "if the decay was very deep and close to the nerve, a toothache may indicate the tooth is no longer healthy and may require further treatment". [3]
- Shrinkage of white fillings. Composite filling material shrinks slightly as it is hardened with a blue light. A dental research paper explains that this can leave a tiny gap under the filling which fills with fluid, so hot or cold drinks make the fluid move inside the tooth and cause a sharp, short pain. [6] Studies have found sensitivity in anything from a small minority of composite fillings to "up to one-third of the study sample", depending on the study. [6]
- The bite. A new filling can change how your teeth meet, and NHS Western Isles notes that a filled tooth may "feel different to bite on". [4] Dentists check how the teeth meet with thin marking paper and adjust the filling before polishing it. [7]
- A deeper problem in the tooth. Occasionally the nerve was already badly inflamed or infected before the filling, and the pain continues because the tooth needs more treatment, such as root canal treatment. [3] [10]
- A problem with the filling. NHS.uk lists "a loose or broken filling" among the causes of toothache. [1]
The type of bonding system your dentist uses does not appear to change the risk. A 2015 systematic review found that the adhesive strategy used for back-tooth composite fillings "does not influence the risk and intensity" of sensitivity after treatment. [8]
Pain when biting after a filling
Pain when you bite down on a newly filled tooth is one of the most common complaints after a filling. NHS Western Isles advises that teeth "may become sensitive or feel different to bite on" and to contact your dentist if this "does not settle down in a few weeks". [4] NHS.uk also includes "pain when you bite" in its list of toothache signs that mean you should see a dentist, alongside a high temperature, red gums or a bad taste in your mouth. [1]
If your bite still feels uneven once the numbness has worn off, or the tooth is sore every time your teeth meet, ring the practice and ask them to check your bite. Checking the bite with marking paper and smoothing down any area that meets too early is a routine part of finishing a filling. [7] Do not try to file or adjust a filling yourself.
Pain on biting together with swelling, a bad taste or a high temperature is different. Those can be signs of a dental abscess, which NHS.uk says needs an urgent dentist appointment or help from NHS 111. [11]
Sensitivity to cold, heat and sweet things
Sharp, short sensitivity to cold drinks, cold air or sweet food is the classic reaction after a filling, and it usually fades over the following weeks. [3] [5] The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), in its guidance on tooth pain, describes this kind of pain as being "provoked by a stimulus (e.g. cold, sweet) and relieved when it is removed". [9] This pattern suggests the nerve is irritated but still healthy, which SDCEP calls reversible pulpitis. [9]
While a tooth is sensitive, it can help to avoid very cold or very hot food and drinks on that side. If sensitivity carries on beyond a few weeks, or you have sensitivity in several teeth that has nothing to do with the filling, our guide to sensitive teeth causes and treatment covers other causes your dentist may look at.
Throbbing or lingering pain: signs the nerve may be affected
Pain that throbs, lasts for minutes or hours, or starts on its own without a trigger is more concerning than a short twinge. SDCEP describes irreversible pulpitis, where the nerve is unlikely to recover, as pain that "can occur spontaneously but if provoked by a stimulus is typically not relieved when the stimulus is removed", adding that "the pain may last for several hours" and "may be dull and throbbing, worsened by heat and may be alleviated by cold". [9] SDCEP also notes that this kind of pain can keep a child awake at night. [9]
If your filled tooth behaves like this, contact your dentist rather than waiting for it to settle. An inflamed or infected nerve will not heal with a filling alone. NHS.uk explains that root canal treatment is used when the pulp is infected, and that "if you have an infected tooth and do not have root canal treatment, you may need to have the tooth taken out". [10] Our guide to root canal treatment costs and recovery explains what that treatment involves.
Signs of infection need prompt attention. NHS.uk lists intense toothache, painful gums, a bad taste in your mouth, a swollen face or jaw and a high temperature among the symptoms of a dental abscess. [11] Our dental abscess guide covers the symptoms and treatment in more detail.
How to ease tooth pain after a filling at home
Most post-filling discomfort can be managed at home while it settles. NHS.uk advises taking painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, and notes that a pharmacist can advise you and that children under 16 should not take aspirin. [1]
- Take an over-the-counter painkiller. Use ibuprofen or paracetamol at the dose on the pack, if they are suitable for you. [1] [4]
- Wait for the numbness to wear off before eating. This avoids biting your lip, cheek or tongue, and avoids very hot food and drinks while you cannot feel them properly. [4]
- Avoid triggers for a while. Very cold, very hot or sweet food and drinks can set off sensitivity in a newly filled tooth. [9]
- Keep brushing normally. NHS Western Isles advises brushing your teeth as normal after fillings. [4]
- Keep track of how it changes. Sensitivity that is gradually easing is a good sign. Pain that is getting worse, waking you up or needing painkillers every day is a reason to call the practice. [1] [3]
Home care is for comfort while the tooth settles. It does not treat an infection or a filling that needs adjusting, so do not keep taking painkillers for days to hold off a dental visit.
When to go back to the dentist, and when it is urgent
The right next step depends on what the pain is doing. NHS.uk and NHS trust dental services give clear thresholds. [1] [3] [4]
| Your symptoms | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mild sensitivity that is slowly getting better | Wait and monitor; contact the practice if it has not subsided within 4 weeks [3] |
| Your bite feels high or uneven once the numbness has gone | Ring the practice and ask them to check your bite [4] [7] |
| Toothache lasting more than 2 days, or not helped by painkillers | See a dentist [1] |
| Throbbing pain, pain that lingers or keeps you awake | Contact your dentist promptly [9] [10] |
| Pain with a high temperature, red gums or a bad taste | See a dentist; these can be signs of infection [1] [11] |
| You have no dentist or cannot get an urgent appointment | Call NHS 111 or use 111 online [1] |
| Swelling around your eye or neck, or swelling making it hard to breathe, swallow or speak | Go to A&E; NHS.uk advises not driving yourself [1] |
When you contact the practice, explain that the tooth was filled recently and describe the pain: whether it is triggered by cold or biting, how long each episode lasts, and whether it is getting better or worse. NHS.uk says you should be offered urgent dental treatment within 24 hours or 7 days, depending on your symptoms. [12] Our emergency dentist guide explains how urgent NHS dental care works.
Will you pay to have a filling checked, adjusted or redone
Going back to the dentist about a recent filling often costs nothing extra on the NHS, but the rules differ across the four UK nations.
England
NHS dental charges in England changed on 1 April 2026. [13] Fillings are a Band 2 treatment, and an urgent appointment can include one urgent filling. [14]
| NHS treatment in England | What you pay from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 [13] |
| Band 2 (includes fillings and root canal treatment) | £76.60 [13] [14] |
| Band 3 | £332.10 [13] |
| Urgent treatment (can include 1 urgent filling) | £27.90 [13] [14] |
Two rules protect you if a filled tooth needs more work:
- The 2-month rule. NHS.uk states: "If you have dental treatment but need further treatment within 2 months, you do not have to pay extra if the further treatment is included in the same band, or a lower band." [15] The further treatment must be from the same provider, and a course of urgent treatment does not count as the original course. [17]
- The 12-month guarantee. The NHSBSA lists fillings, root fillings, inlays or onlays, porcelain veneers and crowns as guaranteed items, and says "you'll not be charged if any of these need to be repaired or replaced within 12 months of the original being fitted". [16] The repair or replacement must be the same treatment, at the practice that did the original work. [16] The guarantee is set out in regulation 6 of the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005, which applies where a restoration "has to be repaired or replaced to secure oral health". [17]
The guarantee does not apply if you have had private treatment on the same tooth since the filling, if the filling was meant to be temporary, if you were advised that a different type of filling was more appropriate, or if the repair is needed because of trauma such as an accident. [16] [17] Neither NHS.uk nor the NHSBSA sets out a separate charge for a quick check or bite adjustment shortly after a filling, so ask the practice when you book whether it will be part of your existing course of treatment. Our dental filling cost guide and our NHS dental charges guide explain the bands in more detail.
Free NHS dental treatment in England
You do not pay NHS dental charges in England if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receive certain benefits (including Universal Credit if your income is below a certain amount), or hold a valid HC2 certificate. [22] Our guide to who qualifies for free NHS dental treatment covers every category.
Wales
Wales charges for NHS dentistry through care packages rather than bands. GOV.WALES lists a Simple restorative care package, which covers fillings, at £36.03, an urgent care charge of £37.50, and a maximum total charge of £384 for a course of treatment. [18] Welsh regulations in force from 2026 require the dental practice to repair or replace a failed filling, root filling, inlay, porcelain veneer or crown at no charge within 12 months for treatment given at an urgent care appointment, or within 24 months for treatment given under a care package, with exceptions similar to England's. [19] Examinations are free in Wales for people aged under 25 or 60 and over. [18]
Scotland
NHS inform states that everyone in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental examinations, and that treatment is free for everyone aged under 26. [20] Other NHS patients pay 80% of the treatment cost, capped at £384 per course of treatment. [20] NHS inform does not set out a specific repair rule for fillings, so ask your practice how a problem with a recent filling will be charged.
Northern Ireland
For Health Service (NHS) dental treatment in Northern Ireland, the Business Services Organisation (BSO) states that patients pay 80% of the gross cost of treatment up to a maximum of £384. [21] The BSO dates that maximum to 1 April 2007, so ask your dentist to confirm the cost before further treatment.
Private fillings
Private dental practices set their own fees and their own policies on reviewing, adjusting or replacing fillings. If you had a private filling, ask the practice whether a check or adjustment is included and whether the filling carries any guarantee, ideally before treatment. Our guide to private dentist prices sets out typical private costs for common treatments.
Children and pain after a filling
Children can feel the same short-lived sensitivity after a filling as adults, and the same warning signs apply. NHS.uk advises that children under 16 should not take aspirin for toothache, and that children should not rinse with salt water in case they swallow it. [1]
Ibuprofen and paracetamol made for children can help, but the right dose depends on the product, your child's age and sometimes their weight, so follow the NHS guidance and the pack instructions. [23] [24] While your child's mouth is numb after treatment, watch that they do not bite or chew their lip, cheek or tongue. [4] If your child has pain that wakes them at night, lingering pain or any facial swelling, contact the dentist promptly, because SDCEP describes night-time and lingering pain as features of a nerve that may not recover. [9] NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 in England and Wales and for everyone under 26 in Scotland. [18] [20] [22]
If you cannot get back to your dentist
Getting a quick follow-up appointment is easiest when you already have a practice. The Office for National Statistics found that, among adults in England with an urgent dental need who tried to get an appointment, 95.6% of those with an NHS dentist obtained one, compared with 29.9% of those without a dentist (survey of 21 July to 12 August 2026). [25] Healthwatch England reported in October 2026 that NHSBSA figures show only around two in five adults have been seen by an NHS dentist in the past two years. [26]
If the practice that did your filling cannot see you, or you were treated through an urgent appointment and do not have a regular dentist, NHS.uk advises calling NHS 111 or using 111 online if you cannot get an emergency appointment, and notes that you may have to pay for that appointment. [1] For a longer-term solution, our guide on how to find an NHS dentist accepting new patients sets out practical steps when local capacity is tight.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a tooth to hurt after a filling?
Yes, mild pain or sensitivity after a filling is common and usually temporary. NHS dental services say sensitivity should normally settle within a few weeks, and that a filled tooth may feel different to bite on for a while. Contact your practice if it has not eased after about 4 weeks, or sooner if it worsens. [3] [4]
How long should a tooth hurt after a filling?
Sensitivity after a filling should normally resolve within a few weeks. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust advises contacting the clinic if sensitivity does not subside within 4 weeks. Research shows sensitivity is most common in the first 24 hours and falls steadily over the following weeks. See a dentist sooner for constant or severe pain. [3] [5]
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down after a filling?
A new filling can change how your teeth meet, so a filled tooth may feel sore or different when you bite. NHS Western Isles advises contacting your dentist if this does not settle within a few weeks. If your bite still feels uneven once the numbness has gone, ask the practice to check and adjust it. [4] [7]
Is throbbing pain after a filling normal?
Throbbing pain that lingers, starts on its own or keeps you awake is not a typical reaction to a filling. SDCEP describes that pattern as a sign the tooth's nerve may not recover. Contact your dentist promptly, because the tooth may need further treatment such as root canal treatment, and do not rely on painkillers for days. [9] [10]
What painkillers can I take for pain after a filling?
NHS.uk advises ibuprofen or paracetamol for toothache, taken as directed on the pack, and says a pharmacist can advise you. Children under 16 should not take aspirin, and children's doses depend on the product, their age and sometimes their weight. See a dentist if painkillers do not help or pain lasts beyond 2 days. [1] [23]
Do I have to pay if my NHS filling needs fixing?
In England, fillings are guaranteed for 12 months, so you are not charged if an NHS filling needs repairing or replacing at the same practice within a year, with some exceptions. Further same-band treatment within 2 months of a course is also free. Wales offers free repair for 12 or 24 months. [15] [16] [19]
Can a filling cause a tooth abscess?
A filling does not cause an abscess on its own, but deep decay close to the nerve can leave a tooth that becomes infected after treatment. Pain with swelling, a bad taste or a high temperature can be signs of a dental abscess, which NHS.uk says needs an urgent dentist appointment or help from NHS 111. [3] [11]
When should I go to A&E with tooth pain after a filling?
Go to A&E if the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or swelling in your mouth or neck makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak. NHS.uk advises not driving yourself; ask someone to take you or call 999. For other urgent dental problems, contact your dentist or NHS 111. [1]
Find a dentist for a filling check
Most tooth pain after a filling fades as the tooth settles, but a filling that hurts every time you bite, pain that throbs or lingers, or any swelling all deserve a proper look from a dentist. If you do not have a regular practice to go back to, you can search for a dentist near you on Dentists Closeby and compare the NHS and private practices covering your postcode.
Sources
- Toothache -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 1 July 2024, accessed 2026-10-09
- Having your tooth filled at the dentist (easy read leaflet) -- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, June 2025, review date June 2028, accessed 2026-10-09
- Dental fillings -- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, accessed 2026-10-09
- Dental procedures under general anaesthetic for adults -- NHS Western Isles Dental Department, review date May 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- Clinical assessment of postoperative sensitivity in posterior composite restorations -- Briso AL et al., Operative Dentistry 2007;32(5):421-6, accessed 2026-10-09
- Postoperative sensitivity in Class V composite restorations: comparing soft start vs. constant curing modes of LED -- Umer F and Khan FR, Journal of Conservative Dentistry 2011, accessed 2026-10-09
- A comparative evaluation of the postoperative sensitivity of bulk-fill versus conventional resin Class II composite restorations: a prospective observational study -- Agarwal et al., Cureus, published 27 January 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- Does the adhesive strategy influence the post-operative sensitivity in adult patients with posterior resin composite restorations? A systematic review and meta-analysis -- Reis A et al., Dental Materials 2015;31(9):1052-67, accessed 2026-10-09
- Pain or infection: causes -- Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme, Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Children, accessed 2026-10-09
- Root canal treatment -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 3 October 2025, accessed 2026-10-09
- Dental abscess -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 18 March 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- How to find an emergency or urgent NHS dentist appointment -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 14 May 2025, accessed 2026-10-09
- What are the NHS dental charges? -- NHS Business Services Authority, charges from 1 April 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- What is included in each NHS dental band charge -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 13 March 2025, accessed 2026-10-09
- Understanding NHS dental charges -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 13 March 2025, accessed 2026-10-09
- What are 'guaranteed items' of NHS dental treatment? -- NHS Business Services Authority, accessed 2026-10-09
- The National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005, regulation 6 -- legislation.gov.uk, latest available revised version, accessed 2026-10-09
- NHS dental charges and exemptions -- Welsh Government (GOV.WALES), last updated 27 July 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- The National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts and Patient Charges) (Wales) Regulations 2026, Schedule 3, paragraph 11 -- legislation.gov.uk, accessed 2026-10-09
- Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland -- NHS inform (Scottish Government), accessed 2026-10-09
- Dental charges and fees -- Business Services Organisation (Northern Ireland), accessed 2026-10-09
- Get help with dental costs -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 11 February 2025, accessed 2026-10-09
- Ibuprofen for children -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 21 August 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
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- Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England: September 2026 -- Office for National Statistics, released 10 September 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
- Are more people getting NHS dental care? -- Healthwatch England, 1 October 2026, accessed 2026-10-09
