I am so frustrated! One my 6 yr old dghtr just told me last night at dinner that one of her 6 yr molars is having pretty high sensitivity to cold temps while eating & drinking....a week ago she had a cavity filled in this same tooth. I don't think the filling is related to the sensitivity b/c of the week timeframe btwn...so I took her to the dentist ofc (Pediatric Dental Center w/Drs. Gonzalez & Lopez) FIRST thing this morning (they open at 8:30a) to ask if they wld look at the problem tooth. When I pulled up, the office was completely closed!! AND I had spoken with the ofc's answering service Thursday evening and was told to call today----WHY wasn't the answering service advised the ofc wld be completely CLOSED today! The ofc phone msg also does not say the ofc is closed today! Isn't that just common courtesy?! So, the dentist on call (Dr. Lopez) called me back & told me the sensitivity is very common after fillings, esp. when the fillings are white (vs. silver) and that it cld last for 2-3 WEEKS..I just need to help her brush & floss! R U kidding me? And, to top it all off, they have no other dentist to refer me to! I'm ready to look for a new Dentist, but need a sanity check from all of you, please. Oh, and I also called my pediatrician to ask if I shld bring my dghtr in there, but was told (by nurse) there's not much that can be done by Ped. Should I try the "After Hrs Ped." ofc tonight? My dghtr says there's only pain/discomfort when she eats or drinks something cold....am I over reacting?
Thank you moms! I really appreciate everyone's comments, suggestions & honesty. We made it thru the long weekend and the discomfort seemed to be less & less. One thing I didn't mention in my initial post was the gum around this tooth bled quite a bit & quite easily when using a rubber tipped cleaning instrument around the tooth and this is why I was so concerned...I was sure this would lead to a root canal, but it didn't/hasn't. The other saving grace was that my husband had some prescription mouthwash for some gum problems he's having...so we're using that w/the syringe on this problem tooth and I think it's helping. Also, this is my daughter's 3rd white filling and she never had any problems or sensitivity's with the other ones, but I guess each tooth can be different. Thanks again! ;)
easy fix have her use sensitive toothpaste. Crest or Aim and has everything in it for healthy teeth and tastes good don't use sensidine not as good and more expensive.
We have had this happen after fillings also. My dentist recommended using sensitive teeth toothpaste I forget what kind but it worked. I would still follow up with a dentist because it could be a root problem. Hope you daughter feels better!
S.
My guess is they are closed because of the holiday weekend. Yes, sensitivity after a filling is normal, I wouldn't change dentists because of that alone, unless there are other issues. Using a sensitivity toothpaste isn't likely to help, either, because the way they work is by "coating" for lack of a better description, the outside part of a tooth. It helps when you have roots exposed, but probably not in the case of a filling since it won't reach the areas that are sensitive. Maybe avoid the super cold things like ice cream for a couple of days, give things a chance to calm down. Even if you took her in, they really wouldn't be able to do anything. Good luck!
My daughter had the same situation with a white filling
eventually it went away completely. If your daughter doesn't have trouble eating or drinking other than the discomfort she will likely be o.k. I wouldn't be concerned
unless she is in pain or it interfers with eating or drinking. When the dentist suggests helping her with brushing he does so, so that you can help her be sure she
gets anything off the tooth that would continue to irritate
the new filling/tooth after she has eaten. sometimes if the
cavity was close to the nerve, it can take awhile to get
"back to normal" and stop being irritated by food and drinks. If you like the dentist, be patient, a lot of doctors and dentists take a half or whole day off the friday
before a holiday weekend, and as for his secretary,
maybe she's new, having a bad day, busy, you never know. We are all just human after all. Hope everything turns out good for your daughter.
I would get through the weekend and get a new dentist. Not saying that sensitivity = poor dentistry, but I would think, like you, that: 1) they would post their hours on their answering mach/service 2) they would warn you in advance of potential issues you/your daughter might encounter and what to do should they occur.
My dentist's office is also closed ALL day every Friday. But their hours are posted plainly and recited on their ans. machine.
As for the sensitivity itself, my own dentist is very conservative about doing procedures. He has told me before, that oftentimes continuing to "mess with" something can keep the issue stirred up/inflamed. Sometimes just giving it a little time can allow the issue to self-resolve. I might have ended up with a root canal myself several years ago.. except for his advice in that regard. It wasn't a sensitivity, but PAIN when chewing "just the right way" after getting a replacement filling of one from my childhood. I waited it out, probably 8-10 weeks(?) and it went away. No more problems (and no root canal)... 8 years and counting.
In the meantime, be careful to not offer your daughter cold things over the weekend (no ice-cream, milkshakes, jello, etc) and use lukewarm water when she brushes.
Hi. I am a general dentist and a mom so I understand you are frustrated and concerned. However, it is very common to have sensitivity,even up to a month after a white filling is placed. If she is not too uncomfortable and its not hurting on its own give it a little more time. If she's in pain then absolutely find an emergency dentist to take a look at it.
Hi K.! I have to agree with Maryanne. You are over-reacting a bit. This is not a reason to go looking for a new dentist. You were advised by the answering service to call. You should never just show up to a doctor's office and expect to be seen. When my kids are sick I call the office to see what time they can see my child. I don't just show up. I get an appointment then I show up. It's just common sense. And the dentist did call you back and gave you a correct explanation for what is causing her sensitivity. Just don't give her anything cold to eat or drink for the next couple of weeks and see how she does. I don't blame them for not referring you out. There is no reason to. She wasn't in pain, wasn't having a dental emergency-just some sensitivity. I guess I look at it differently having worked in the medical field for a long time and seeing people get over the top upset about stuff like this.
Tooth sensitivity after a filling is normal. Give it time. If it worstens or the pain is so bad she cant sleep there could be a problem. As long as it keeps getting better dont worry.
I agree with the other ladies. Calm down. If the sensitivity can last a few weeks then buy some high flouride toothpaste like sensadyne....if I spelled that right. Have her drink through a straw and avoid icecream and other cold food. If it continues after 3 weeks have the dentist fix the problem.
Hi K.,
Sorry, but yes, I think you're over reacting. I had a white filling put in over a month ago and I still have extreme cold sensitivity and it's been well over a month! My filling was actually very close to the root, so I was worried about having to get a root canal. I was told it would only last a few weeks. Hah! I almost went back in, but it seems to be finally getting better.
My only suggestion is to drink liquids that aren't so cold and give it a few weeks. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. My dentist told me they only worry about sensitivity to hot foods and sweets.
Good luck
Dr Julie Russo in Clermont is a pediatric dentist - she's awesome.
yes, I got two teeth filled with the white filling. They were very deep and I was in pain for a week or longer. I was just about to go back to the dentist thinking something was wrong. Then the 2 teeth just stop hurting and has not hurt since. Those white filling hurt but they are much prettier then the silver.
if there is no pain then yes you need to just wait until they open. get it fixed then find a new dentist.
per experience, sensitivity to cold and warm (esp the latter) point to root canal. but again if there is no pain there is no need for you to worry so much
Since there is pain or disconfort only when drinking cold, avoid anything too cold for a few days. Room temperature should be ok on most things. She can take small sips, while leaning her head away from the sensitive side. Ask her to use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, like Sensodine. This too is temporary. Good luck
Yes Mom, you are over-reacting, LOL. This is normal after a filling, I wouldnt worry. And she did tell you it was only discomfort when having something cold. There is nothing for the dentist to do, even if they were open! You could try sensodene toothpaste for kids. I am sure it will go away and she won't even mention it after a while.
Yep. No one will do anything at this time because it is common. If the sensitivity lasts more than a month, have her seen again. It sucks, I know, and they should have told you about this at the time of the filling so you would know it was coming. Best of luck.
I feel for your poor daughter, I was going thru the same thing as your daughter, except Im getting a 5 teeth bridge done and the 3 teeth underneath where so sensitive I was in tears the first days they where finished prepping my teeth, I also called the dentist and they said the same thing its normal to have sensitvity to teeth getting work on,well it lasted about 9 days and my teeth now are feeling better,If I was you I would go buy some sensodyne toothpaste as thats what I got and it cant hurt using it,I also took tylenol to help with the pain.Im now praying when my new bridge comes in that I wont have sensitive teeth after that is put on permanently.Good luck to your daughter,Im not a dentist, but I really dont think there would be anyhting another dentist could do, I was kind of upset with my dentist also, and thougth for sure they could do something for me.Take care and hope your daughters pain is over very soon.
Usually the cold sens would occur right after the filling not a week later. Did the filling come out? Compare it to the one on the opposite side. Buy sensodyne toothpaste and ACT fluoride rinse. Have her brush 3 x's day and swish the ACT for 1 minute and spit. Good news is cold sensativity doesn't indicate a nerve injury. Hot sens and throbbing are bad. If cold sesetivity decreases over time that is good. Deb dental hygienist
Sorry for your daughter's trouble and all the hassle with the dentist. I have had my share of tooth sensitivity and it's certainly not fun.
If you can get into any dentist nearby, go in and see if you can buy a tube of Fluoridex toothpaste from them (not sure if they sell this over the counter in stores - I purchase it directly from my dentist). It is the best and really helps with the tooth sensitivity - better than Sensodyne in my opinion and worth every penny!
Also, there is a product I bought when I had extreme tooth pain and it was called Orajel Advanced Tooth Desensitizer. I found it at Publix. You apply with a swab and it really helped me until I could see a dentist and diagnose the problem.
Kids Motrin might help too with the pain, if you don't mind giving you child a little bit of medicine to help her through it. Hope that helps you...
Change dentists for starters. Now that's said my bet is that the sensitivity to the hot and cold is from the filling. I have several teeth that are that way. They want to redo my fillings. I am not going to do it though because they want to crown them all at $400.00 each. But you can buy ora gel and put it on your childs tooth. Get the childs version. The stuff works great. Also if you can get your child to suck on a tea bag it will help to heal the pain. But for sure find another dentist. Your wasting your time with this one. Tooth Caboose in Plant City can probably give you a name of a good dentist in your area. I told a friend about Tooth Caboose but they didn't have any more room so they referred her to some where else.
Yes, I think you're over reacting. If it's sensitivity and not PAIN, then wait as the dentist recommended for 3 weeks to see what happens.
The answering service not knowing they were closed is angering for sure, but forgive and don't let it ruin your 3-day weekend.
I think your dentist is probably on the right track. She will have to stay away from very cold and try to chew on the other side. If it gets worse or is not better in a week or so then take her back, If you really want a different dentist Dr.Goldstein is ped dentist on Hiawassee Rd.
I think a trip to after hours would just result in a lot of money spent fornothing. Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!
You may have already dealt with the situtaion, but I think that the dentist is right. Not to say you are overreacting, because you are just worried like any good mother would be. I wouldn't go looking for another dentist just yet thought. The newer fillings do sometimes cause a little sensitivity and if it is only when she is eating/drinking cold/hot things then it should resolve. If it doesn't then I would be concerned. One of our friends little girls just had the same thing and her molar was sensitive for a few weeks adn then eventually it just stopped bothering her. Good luck!
sorry, but yes, I think you are over reacting. I understand the closed thing is frustrating, but the on call dentist DID call you. The ansering service is completely independant and not always kept in the loop. They told you to call today, not show up. You spoke to the dentist and they told you it is normal. This is not an emergency, just some sensitivity, calm down.
K., i totally understand that you are trying to do your best for your daughter, and get her sinsitve tooth issue resolved. although, i do feel you are letting things get to you to much. (take a deep breath!, and relax.) a sincitive tooth is not that bad of a thing. you could maybe ask the pediatric dentist if she could maybe try a "sinsitive teeth tooth paste", (and if that would even help?) and yes, a regular pediatrician would not be able to do much for a dental issue. if the tooth is driving your daughter crazy, maybe useing an over the counter childrens pain med, like tylenol, or something, overy once in a while might help, but get the dentists ok, on that first!too! i hope i have helped some. good luck. and like your childs dentist said, the sincitivity shouldnt last long. (mom with sometimes sencitve teeth, and,of one toddler son.)
