What to Do If Your Dental Filling Falls Out
It’s a nice day; you’re going about your day, and suddenly, you notice your filling just fell out of your tooth! We understand how frustrating and unsettling it can be to lose a filling, but knowing what to do for a lost filling can help you prevent bigger problems. Here’s what to know and how to handle the situation if your filling falls out.
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Common Causes Why You May Lose a Dental Filling
There are several reasons you might lose a dental filling, but most of the time, it’s because your tooth is under too much pressure from chewing hard or grinding your teeth.
Natural Wear and Tear
We all know dental fillings aren’t made to last forever. The material wears down after years of everyday chewing and biting. Over time, small cracks can form around the edges, gradually causing your dental filling to become loose and eventually fall out. Even with great dental work, most fillings will need to be replaced after a while.
Tooth Decay
If new decay forms under or around a filling, it can weaken the bond that is holding the material in place. As the decay progresses and gets worse, it can create gaps or holes. This can make the filling loose and cause it to fall out eventually. This is especially common if you do not maintain proper oral hygiene or skip your regular dental check up and clean.
Chewing Too Hard
When you bite down too hard or chew on something tough, it can put extra pressure on a tooth with a filling, both on the tooth itself and the filling material. Over time, this pressure can cause the filling to crack or become loose.
Biting Hard Foods
When you bite down too hard or chew on something tough, it can put extra pressure on a tooth with a filling, both on the tooth itself and the filling material. Over time, this pressure can cause the filling to crack or become loose.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
If you constantly grind or clench your teeth, it puts a lot of pressure on both your teeth and any fillings you may have. This constant pressure may damage the edges of the filling, cause it to become loose and eventually fall out. Grinding your teeth at night can be especially damaging because it often happens for hours without you even knowing.
Trauma to the Tooth or Root
In some cases, an injury to the face, such as a blow to your face or an injury from a fall, may damage a tooth and affect the filling inside. Even if the filling looks fine, the trauma may crack the tooth or the filling and cause it to come loose later.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t brush, floss, or see your dentist regularly, bacteria can build up around your filling. Over time, that can cause decay and make the filling come loose and eventually fall out.
Steps to Take When a Filling Falls Out
If your filling has fallen out, don’t wait. Schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as you can to prevent further damage or discomfort. Here are some simple steps you can take if your filling has fallen out to protect your tooth and keep things from getting worse:
Contact Your Dentist
As soon as you notice your filling is missing, call your South Perth Dentist to explain what happened. They can tell you how urgent the situation is and may schedule an appointment to replace the filling. If you’re in pain or your tooth feels sensitive, this could be a sign of a bigger issue that needs quick attention. Even if you’re not in too much pain, arranging an appointment with your dentist can help avoid further problems.
Keep the Filling
If you can find the filling, rinse it gently under clean water and put it into a clean container or plastic bag. Although your dentist will not use it again, it may help them figure out what happened.
Rinse Your Mouth
Rinse your mouth with warm (not hot) water to remove any leftover food particles around the affected tooth. If you feel something has stuck in the space, just swish some water gently and spit. Don’t use toothpicks or anything sharp to remove it. Avoid using strong mouthwash, especially those containing alcohol, because it can irritate the area.
Avoid Chewing on the Affected Side
Try not to chew on the side of your mouth where the filling came out. Chewing with the affected tooth may make things worse, increase sensitivity, or even crack the tooth. Try to eat softer foods and use the other side of your mouth for chewing until you can visit your dentist.
Use Dental Wax
If the tooth with a missing tooth feels sharp and is bothering you, you can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to temporarily cover it. To do that, first, dry your tooth with a clean tissue or gauze. Then, take a small amount of dental wax (or sugar-free gum) and roll it into a ball and press it gently over the exposed area. It can help prevent irritation from air, food, or your tongue. You need to replace the wax after eating or drinking something. Please remember that this is just a temporary solution until you can see your dentist.
⚠️ Avoid using household materials like glue or cotton balls.
Manage Discomfort
Pain Relief: If you’re in pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and make sure you follow the dosage instructions.
Dietary Adjustments: Try not to eat very hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks because they may cause sensitivity. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes or yogurt, and try to chew on the other side of your mouth to reduce any discomfort.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water, but stay away from acidic beverages.
Monitor Symptoms: If you notice swelling or intense pain, contact your dentist immediately because these may be signs of infection or other complications.
Watch for Emergency Signs
If you experience the following symptoms, visit your dentist ASAP:
- Severe and persistent pain that will not improve with medication.
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw.
- Pus or discharge from the affected area.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- A metallic or foul taste in your mouth.
Is It a Dental Emergency?
If your filling falls out, it does not always mean that you need to rush to an emergency dentist right away; however, there are times when seeking immediate dental care is necessary. If you are in too much pain, you notice swelling, or there is heavy bleeding, you need to see an experienced Emergency Dentist Perth immediately because these symptoms could indicate that there is an infection or something else that only your dentist can discover. On the other hand, if you are not in severe pain or discomfort and you can protect the affected tooth properly until your next dentist visit, you can wait a couple of days. Do not put off your dental appointment too long because when your filling falls out, that means your tooth is now exposed and vulnerable.
Potential Risks of Ignoring a Lost Filling
Tooth Decay
When the filling inside your tooth is lost, the tooth can become exposed to bacteria. Food particles and plaque can build up in the cavity and lead to decay. Over time, what started as a small cavity can grow into a much bigger issue, which may require treatments like a root canal or a dental crown. Therefore, the longer you wait and postpone your dental visit, the more likely it is that the decay will spread and turn into something more serious that needs major dental work.
Infection
If the bacteria get deep and reach the inner layers of your tooth, it can lead to an infection. This may result in increased sensitivity, swelling, or even an abscess—an area of pus that forms due to the infection. If the infection is left untreated, it may spread to nearby tissues and cause intense pain. If an infection is not addressed, you may need more extensive dental treatment, like root canal treatment or even a tooth extraction in more severe cases.
Tooth Fracture
Did you know dental fillings do more than just cover an empty space? They help support your tooth and keep it strong, especially when a large part of your tooth has been repaired. When your tooth loses its filling, it will become weaker and more likely to crack or break under pressure. Sometimes, even everyday chewing can be enough to put extra pressure on the affected tooth and cause damage. If you do not seek prompt treatment, those cracks may turn into something more serious, like a deep fracture that requires a crown. In more severe cases, you may even lose the tooth.
What Will My Dentist Do for My Lost Filling
When you visit your dentist after you lose a filling, they will examine your tooth carefully and decide what’s best for your situation. Here’s what your dentist may do:
Examination and Diagnosis: Your dentist will examine the tooth with a missing filling and may take X-rays to assess the extent of damage. This helps your dentist determine what’s best for your tooth.
Cleaning the Affected Area: Then, your dentist will clean the empty space to remove any debris or decay and prepare the tooth for restoration.
Replacement Filling: If the structure of your tooth is not badly damaged and there’s no significant decay, your dentist will place a new filling. The type of filling material—composite resin, amalgam, gold, or porcelain—will be chosen based on the location of your tooth and your preferences.
Alternative Restorations: If the cavity is large or your tooth is weakened, your dentist may choose to place a dental crown to help strengthen the tooth and prevent further damage.
Root Canal Therapy: If the decay has reached the tooth’s pulp or there’s an infection, a root canal may be necessary before placing a new filling or crown.
Tooth Extraction: In cases where the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be restored, tooth extraction might be the only option. Your dentist will discuss replacement options like implants or bridges if this is the case.
Make sure to address a lost filling promptly to prevent further complications. Delaying treatment can lead to increased sensitivity, decay, or more extensive dental procedures.
How Long Do Fillings Typically Last?
How long a dental filling lasts depends on several factors, including the material used, the location of the filling in your mouth, and your everyday habits like chewing and oral hygiene. Below, you can find some common types of fillings and how long they typically last:
Composite Fillings: These tooth-coloured fillings usually last between 7 to 10 years.
Amalgam (Silver) Fillings: Amalgam fillings are typically strong and last long, usually around 10 to 15 years, sometimes even longer.
Gold Fillings: Gold fillings are highly durable and can last for 20 years or even longer.
Porcelain Fillings: Porcelain fillings, including inlays and onlays, typically last up to 15 years.
Glass Ionomer Fillings: Glass ionomer fillings usually last around 5 years.
Restore Your Tooth, Protect Your Smile
Losing a filling doesn’t have to create further problems for you. We can provide you with timely, careful treatment to repair your tooth before it turns into something more complicated.
We are proud to be a NIB preferred provider, Medibank preferred provider, HCF preferred provider, HBF preferred provider, and Bupa preferred provider dentist in Perth.
We also provide professional wisdom tooth removal in Perth for those who need high-quality dental care.
Call us today to book your appointment: (08) 9474 5083.