When a filling falls out, and you can’t see a dentist right away because it’s nighttime, your dentist is on vacation, or you just simply don’t know who to call, there are some measures you can take to care of your tooth while you wait for proper dental treatment.
It is essential, though, to identify why your filling fell out; some reasons could be:
- Grinding your teeth (also known as bruxism)
- Chewing
- Decay in the area of the filling
- Any type of trauma to either the tooth o root
- The margins around the filling are worn out.
Try to keep that in mind so you can mention it to your dentist. But let’s continue, the first thing you must do is call your dentist (if they’re not available and you’re in pain, just call a different dentist, remember the most important thing is your dental wellbeing) and set up an appointment. After that, you can go ahead and follow these steps to keep your tooth safe:
Step 1
Try to keep the filling, give it a clean and save it in a plastic bag. There’s still a possibility that your dentist can reuse it.
Step 2
Get a cup of warm water and mix ½ teaspoon of salt. Do a couple of gargles to kill bacteria and remove food leftovers. You can also brush it, but be as gentle as you can; if you discover areas where you feel pain try avoiding them.
Step 3
If your filling falls out, you can try some dental wax or cement from the pharmacy to temporarily protect the tooth. Remember, this is just temporary; you need to get your fillings professionally repaired.
Step 4
If you have pain, you can take over-the-counter medications to control it. These medications can be ibuprofen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Step 5
Use ice packs or cold compresses for 15 minutes to also reduce pain and swelling.
Step 6
Apply topical anesthesia in your tooth and gum. It will numb the area giving you relief from pain for a while. You can buy it online and in pharmacies.
Step 7
Continue to have a dental hygiene routine. Just be very careful around the area of the exposed tooth. You can use a toothbrush with soft bristles to be more gentle in your teeth and gums.
Step 8
When eating, try to chew on the other side and absent yourself from eating hard foods that need more pressure to get crushed. There’s the risk of your tooth breaking, which can lead to more pain and complications.
What Are The Risks of Not Getting Treatment For Dental Restorations?
Let’s just say it will hurt your teeth and your pockets. It is for the best to prevent your situation from getting worse. Even if you don’t feel pain or discomfort, treatment it’s still necessary. Besides, fillings should get reparation right away.
If you go just a few days without getting it replaced, your tooth can get lots of damage, and your typical lifestyle just won’t be the same.
Your dentin (or the second layer of your enamel) is very susceptible to decay if it gets exposed; it can lead to sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods.
In the case where food gets stuck in the empty space of your tooth, it can also generate more decay and damage. This will only result in more exhaustive dental procedures, like a root canal, extraction, or crown.
The more harm your tooth gets, the more time and money you will have to invest in fixing it. That is why prevention is key.
Remember, if your dentist can not see you soon due to any circumstance, attempt to find another dentist. What matters the most when a filling falls out is to get it treated a soon as possible.
Recommendations To Give Better Care To Your Dental Fillings
Fillings will not last forever. In fact, their longevity depends on their material and the care you decide to give them. Depending on what they are made of:
- Composite fillings can last from 5 to 15 years.
- Amalgam fillings can last from 5 to 25 years.
- Gols fillings can last from 15 to 30 years.
So, as you can see, there is quite a big window of possibility. What will matter the most, though, is the attention you give them as they need you to maintain a hygiene routine and be careful with some of the bad habits that can damage them.
You should get used to brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride paste so you can eliminate bacteria and get rid of food particles left in between your teeth.
And, don’t forget to clean your tongue as well, it’ll help freshen your breath. Floss is also great for giving your mouth a more in-depth cleaning and preventing gum disease, and mouthwash is great for reducing cavities and any plaque build-up. Make sure to add as many steps and cleaning methods as possible. It will only benefit your oral health in the end.
On the other hand, be careful with those types of food that are too hard to crush; you’ll need to add more pressure to your teeth, which can damage your fillings.
Control the intake of sugary and sticky foods.
They can make your teeth more vulnerable to decay. If you grind your teeth, there are solutions your dentist can offer to protect both your fillings and teeth, such as mouth guards or splints.
Dental check-ups are also your friends. You only have to get them two times per year, and they’ll be tremendously helpful to prevent your fillings from falling out.
When you visit your dentist, they’ll examine your mouth, and that is when they can identify if something is wrong with your fillings and replace them on time.
They can let you know if there are any other things you need to take care of and give better advice when caring for your fillings every day.
If you don’t already have a dentist, consider checking out our dental office, our dentist in Clairemont are always available to treat you and give you the best assistance in dental fillings.
We can offer you the different materials to have them replaced and perform the procedure at a reasonable cost. Don’t leave things for later!
Take action if your filling falls out and remember that your smile has a significant impact on the world, so take care of it and keep smiling with confidence!
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