Even a high-quality dental filling can eventually break or fall out of your mouth. This typically isn’t an urgent dental issue, but you should still take steps to deal with the problem as quickly as possible; you don’t want to leave your damaged tooth exposed for too long. Below are 5 steps you can follow to take control of this potentially alarming situation.
Step 1: Call Your Dentist Right Away
The first thing you should do is get in touch with your emergency dentist. Let them know what happened as well as whether you’re experiencing discomfort or other symptoms. Depending on the situation, your dentist may ask you to come in on the same day. If not, they can give you some tips for protecting your smile and staying comfortable until your appointment.
Step 2: Save the Filling If You Can
If the filling hasn’t been lost entirely, it’s generally a good idea to keep it. As long as it’s still mostly intact, there’s a chance that your dentist might be able to reuse it. Keep your filling in a safe container, and don’t forget to bring it with you to your dental appointment.
Step 3: Keep the Area Around the Tooth Clean
Your exposed tooth will have a higher-than-average risk of becoming infected. As such, you need to make sure that the area around it is free of bacteria and food particles. To do this, rinse your mouth with warm salt water multiple times a day. You can also brush as long as it doesn’t cause any discomfort; just be very careful around the exposed tooth.
Step 4: Be Careful While Chewing
If you need to eat before your dental appointment, avoid chewing with the side of the mouth where the filling used to be. Trying to chew with your exposed tooth could cause further damage, and it increases the risk of infection. To be extra safe, drink some water after you’re done eating to wash away any lingering bits of food.
Step 5: Take a Pain Reliever If You Need To
Losing a filling doesn’t always cause pain, but sometimes you might experience sensitivity or discomfort in the exposed tooth. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can help you find temporary relief; make sure that you carefully follow the dosage instructions on the label.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your smile safe until it’s time for your appointment. Your dentist can either put the filling back on the tooth or place a new one depending on the circumstances. In short, as long as you stay calm and act quickly, you can avoid having a lost filling turn into a much more severe dental emergency.
About the Author
Dr. Albert Silvera has been working in the dental field for over 20 years. He graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry, and he belongs to a number of professional organizations including the California Dental Association. His Los Angeles practice, Rancho Park Dental Group, offers tooth-colored fillings that can be used to repair cavities in a natural-looking way. If you’ve lost a filling, you can make an appointment with Dr. Silvera by calling (310) 575-0886. You can also reach out to him through his website.