You were taking a hike with some friends along Salmon Brook when you bit into an apple and your world came crashing down. Or at least it felt like that. There, sticking out of the fruit, was a piece of a past dental filling! What do you do when you’ve lost a dental filling? If you run into a dental emergency like this, there are a few sound action steps you should take as soon as possible.
1–Notify Your Dentist Immediately
When you lose a dental filling, the hole drilled within your tooth by your dentist becomes exposed to bacteria within the mouth, making your tooth vulnerable to decay, cracking, or even falling out. As soon as possible, pick up the phone and notify your local dentist. Many dentists can treat dental emergencies the same day they are called when possible. If there is a delay in treatment, there are a few other measures you can take until the filling is replaced.
If you can, hold onto the filling itself in case recementing it to your tooth is recommended, particularly if a large crown is dislodged.
2–Keep Food Away from Your Tooth
When consuming meals, make sure to chew on the healthy side of your mouth to prevent bacteria or food particles from entering the cavity. After each meal, make sure to carefully brush your teeth or gargle with warm salt water to remove any remaining food debris.
3–Treat Pain Symptoms
If losing your dental filling has triggered an episode of pain, you should treat these symptoms with over-the-counter medicine. Take medicine such as ibuprofen to mitigate pain and swelling. You could also apply a cold compress near the area to accomplish the same objective. Some patients can also benefit from using a topical numbing cream while awaiting treatment.
4–Try a Temporary Fix
Temporarily address some of your pain and chewing difficulty by applying temporary filling material available at many pharmacies. These dental waxes and similar substances can also help protect your teeth from damaging levels of bacteria. Costing only a few dollars, this safety measure can help you quickly cap an opening on your tooth until permanent treatment is possible.
While many dental filling materials can last over a decade, improper oral hygiene routines, overzealous chewing, teeth grinding, root trauma, and new decay forming around a filling could cause fillings to come loose. If this is the case for you, don’t panic, and seek dental care as soon as possible to restore your healthy smile.
About the Author
Drs. Kenneth Endres and Gunveen Chawla of Salmon Brook Dental combine their diverse clinical and educational backgrounds to serve their Granby, CT community. If you’ve recently lost a filling, you can bypass the Granby emergency room and receive fast and effective treatment when you contact us. We are here to answer any of your questions about managing the loss of a dental filling from start to finish. Contact us today through our website or by calling (860) 653-4551.