Slight pain after dental a check-up is not uncommon and should go away in a day or two, depending on the dental procedure you went through. For example, wisdom teeth removal soreness and swelling last a couple of weeks. Ask your dentist what aches you should expect after your appointment to be sure. Your dentist can prescribe medications or recommend other ways to deal with the discomfort.

If your pain is more severe and persistent, there are several potential causes:

1. TMJ disorders or bruxism, caused by teeth grinding, arthritis, stress, gum chewing, or jaw misalignment.
2. Jaw fatigue, caused by holding your mouth open wide during your dentist appointment.
3. Pulpitis, caused by inflammation in the pulp (the soft area in the centre of the tooth) caused by a dental filling.
4. Facial, eye, or ear pain. Dental work might irritate the nerves around your mouth which connect to the rest of your face. Ask your dentist about trigger injections or physical therapy to deal with the pain.
5. Dry socket pain after tooth extraction. If you lose the blood clot which sat on the place where your tooth was extracted, you’ll feel pain in the area. Your dentist may apply a dry socket paste to help the area heal.
6. Tongue biting during your dental appointment. While you’re under anesthetic, your tongue goes numb and you might accidentally bite your tongue. Eat carefully and avoid burning your tongue and mouth after a dental procedure.
7. Dental implant pain, which should last a few days.
8. Gum graft surgery pain, which should last several days.
9. Mouth spasms, also called trismus, might happen once the anesthetic wears off after a dental procedure. Contact your dentist.

If pain persists, get a follow-up appointment with your dentist. They will be able to tell you what is going on and provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan. Dental pain is never fun and can be a huge disruption to your life, your dentist is there to help you achieve your brightest, pain-free smile. If you need a dentist in Winnipeg, Dental Image Therapy Centres has two clinics, located at St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre, book an appointment today so we can start helping you with your dental pain.