Do you have some old dental fillings? Then you should know these dental procedures aren’t meant to last a lifetime.
With the proper care, some fillings can stay in place and do their jobs perfectly for years, even decades. However, the constant pressure they face every time you eat can lead to small cracks and chips, which over time can make the filling fall out completely.
If this happens, here are 4 things you should do:
If you’ve had a dental filling for years with no problems, you’ll likely not experience any pain or discomfort when it falls out. But, this also depends on how large the filling is, meaning how large the hole in your tooth will be when it's gone.
As a general rule, a failed dental filling is a good reason to see a dentist as soon as possible, possibly even seek emergency care if you experience pain, swelling, and other types of discomfort.
Fillings don’t usually fall entirely, so there may still be some pieces of it protecting the tooth. It’s important to leave these pieces in place until you see a dentist and they can recommend a new course of action.
To achieve this, you can:
Though you shouldn’t brush the tooth directly, especially if touching it causes pain, you should still clean your mouth carefully. A failed filling can expose the tooth to unwanted bacteria that can cause cavities, increasing the risk of losing even more of your natural tooth.
You can cleanse your mouth after you eat with saline water or a gentle mouthwash to remove bacteria, and brush the rest of your teeth as you would normally.
Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt right after a filling falls out, it doesn’t mean it won’t. If you’ve booked a regular dentist appointment, pay attention to any changes in your symptoms, such as pain, heightened sensitivity to heat or cold, or even spiking a fever.
These may be signs your tooth is infected, in which case you should seek emergency dental services in Fort Mill and have someone look at the tooth sooner rather than later.
If you have a filling that has fallen out, no matter if it’s old or brand new, our restorative dentist at Luck Family Dental is here to inspect the tooth and recommend the best course of action to protect your tooth and overall dental health.
Schedule an appointment with Leah R. Luck, DDS online, or call our office directly at (803) 548-6370 if you need emergency dental care to get your affected tooth inspected right away.
