What should I do if my teeth are sensitive to hot/cold, but I just had a crown/filling/veneer?

TL;DR:

• Mild hot or cold zingers are common after dental work.
• Crowns can cause sensitivity for up to two weeks.
• Fillings and veneers usually settle in days to a couple weeks.
• Use desensitizing toothpaste and adjust how you eat and drink.
• Call your dentist fast if pain lingers, worsens, or you notice swelling.

Is hot or cold pain normal after recent dental work?

Short answer, often yes. Teeth can feel tender after crowns, fillings, or veneers. The tooth and gum need time to calm down. Cleveland Clinic notes that sensitivity after crown placement often lasts a couple of weeks. It is usually most noticeable with hot or cold drinks.

With fillings and veneers, brief sensitivity is also common. The nerve inside the tooth may be irritated. Bonding materials can make teeth react to temperature for a short time. The American Dental Association explains that sensitivity happens when dentin tubules carry cold or heat to the nerve. Treatments aim to block that pathway or fix the cause.

How long does sensitivity last?

• Crowns. A few days to two weeks is common. Sensitivity should ease, not worsen.
• Fillings. A few days is typical. Larger or deep fillings may need up to two weeks to settle.
• Veneers. Mild hot or cold sensitivity often fades within days, sometimes up to two weeks.

If your sensitivity is getting worse, wakes you at night, or you feel pain when biting, you should call your dentist. Lingering hot or cold that lasts more than a few seconds can be a sign the pulp is not happy. Cleveland Clinic describes longer lasting thermal pain as a feature of more serious pulp inflammation.

What causes the zingers?

• Inflamed pulp. Dental work can irritate the nerve. This usually calms with time.
• Exposed dentin. Thin enamel or exposed roots carry temperature to the nerve.
• High bite. A crown or filling that sits high can create sharp pain on chewing.
• Microleaks. If a margin is not sealed, cold can sneak under and trigger nerves.
• Gum soreness. Temporary gum irritation around a new crown or veneer can add to discomfort.

What you can do at home

Use a desensitizing toothpaste twice daily. Choose one with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride. Relief builds over 2 to 4 weeks as the ingredients block the nerve pathways. The ADA notes these pastes help by reducing signal transmission.

Switch to a soft brush and gentle technique. Hard brushing wears enamel and exposes dentin. Keep strokes light for two minutes.

Rinse after acidic foods. Soda, citrus, and vinegar lower pH and can spike zingers. Sip water after, do not brush right away.

Limit temperature extremes for a week. Avoid very hot soup and ice water back to back. Let foods cool or warm slightly.

Try a fluoride rinse at a different time than brushing. This adds minerals to tubules and may reduce sensitivity.

Use a straw for cold drinks. Aim cold past sensitive teeth.

Over the counter pain relief if needed. Follow label directions. If you need pain pills beyond a couple days, call your dentist.

When to call the dentist

Reach out if you notice any of the following:

• Pain on biting or a “high” feeling on one spot.
• Sensitivity that is worse after one week instead of better.
• Hot sensitivity that lingers more than a few seconds.
• Night pain, swelling, fever, or a bad taste.
• A crown or veneer that feels loose or has a sharp edge.

These signs can mean the bite needs an adjustment, the nerve is not recovering, or a margin is leaking. Early fixes are simpler.

Crown, filling, and veneer care, step by step

First 48 hours

• Chew on the other side if sore.
• Avoid very hot or very cold foods.
• Brush gently around the area. Cleanliness helps healing.
• If you had a crown, expect gum tenderness near the margin. Keep it clean.

Days 3 to 7

• Start or continue a desensitizing toothpaste.
• Recheck your bite in your mind. If one spot hits first, call for a quick polish.
• Try a fluoride rinse once daily, separate from brushing.

Week 2 and beyond

• You should feel steady improvement.
• If hot or cold still lingers, or chewing hurts, book a review. Lingering thermal pain may signal pulpitis that needs treatment.

Special notes for each treatment

After a crown

Crowns require tooth shaping. The nerve can be extra sensitive for a short period. A slight change in bite can also cause sharp pain. Dentists can adjust the bite in minutes. Cleveland Clinic advises that sensitivity for a couple of weeks can be normal, but persistent pain is not.

After a filling

Deep cavities sit close to the pulp. Expect brief cold zingers that fade fast. If the filling is high, you will feel a sharp jab when biting. Call for a bite check.

After veneers

Enamel reduction is usually minimal, but teeth can be temperature sensitive for days. If a veneer edge is over the gum or the bond line traps plaque, the area may feel tender. Good cleaning and a quick polish often solve it.

What a dentist may do

• Adjust your bite. Tiny changes can stop pain on chewing.
• Apply in-office fluoride or desensitizers. These help seal tubules.
• Rebond or reseal a margin. Fixes microleaks that cause cold shock.
• Root canal treatment. If tests show irreversible pulpitis, your dentist removes the inflamed pulp and seals the canals. Cleveland Clinic lists lingering thermal pain as a key sign for this step.

Quick reference checklist

• Use a desensitizing toothpaste twice a day.
• Avoid extreme hot and cold for a week.
• Rinse with fluoride once daily, away from brushing.
• Sip water after acidic food or drink.
• Call if pain worsens, lingers, or you feel a high spot.
• Seek care fast for swelling, fever, or night pain.

Why it matters

Post-treatment sensitivity is common and usually settles. Knowing what is normal helps you avoid worry. Knowing warning signs helps you save the tooth. Timely checks prevent bigger procedures and costs. The steps here reduce pain and protect the nerve while you heal.

Sources:

• Cleveland Clinic, Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns, last reviewed April 14, 2023.
• Cleveland Clinic, Pulpitis: Types, Symptoms & Treatment, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23536-pulpitis, last reviewed July 18, 2022.
• American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Sensitive Teeth, https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/sensitive-teeth, accessed September 22, 2025.