What to Do and Not to Do
Imagine eating your favorite meal when suddenly you bite down and feel a strange crunch. Something hard was just between your back teeth! Should that be there? You check your mouth and realize that a filling has come loose! The moment is alarming, but a few simple steps bring quick relief and protect the tooth until you reach the Placerville Dental Group.
Do This Right Away
1. Clear the Filling Fragment From Your Mouth
Spit out the loose piece as soon as possible to avoid swallowing or biting down on it again.
2. Rinse With Warm Salt Water
A quick rinse with salt water clears debris from the area and calms and soothes the tooth and irritated tissues.
3. Cover a Sensitive Tooth
When a filling has been lost, the exposed tooth can become sensitive, especially to hot and cold temperatures. Covering the area protects the tooth from cool air and your constantly probing tongue! Use over-the-counter dental wax or temporary filling material until you are able to see the dentist for treatment.
What To Avoid
1. Do Not Chew on Injured Teeth
Pressure on the exposed tooth can cause cracks in the enamel. If absolutely necessary to eat, chew on the opposite side of your mouth until treatment takes place.
2. Avoid Sticky, Hard, or Crunchy Foods
Caramel, nuts, hard candy, ice, and similar foods can further damage the crown or lead to infection. Soft foods or a liquid diet are best until your filling is replaced.
3. Don’t Touch the Tooth
Your tongue naturally checks oral injuries, but constant pressure irritates the tooth. Fingernails, toothpicks, or metal objects can create even more trouble, so leave the area alone as much as possible. (See Cover a Sensitive Tooth above.)
4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Avoid very hot or very cold food or drinks because they often trigger sharp discomfort and pain. (This is not the time for ice cream!) Remember that the typical refrigerator chills liquids to under 40 degrees Fahrenheit — that’s cold!
Following all of these tips reduces your injury risk and helps you manage the discomfort or sensitivity of a lost filling until you are seen by our Placerville dentist.
Get Professional Dental Help
Fillings loosen for different reasons. The force of chewing, simple age, tooth grinding, new decay or fractures can all loosen a filling’s hold on the tooth. A lost filling may be a symptom of deeper issues inside the tooth, which is why a prompt dental exam is important. During your visit, our Placerville dentist checks the tooth for cracks, enhanced wear, or new decay. A gentle cleaning prepares the area, and a new filling replaces the lost one. If the tooth has more damage than can be cared for with a filling, an inlay, overlay, or dental crown may be recommended to offer the tooth the support it needs to stay healthy. The goal is to keep your natural tooth for life with the help of a quality dental restoration.
Trust the Placerville Dental Group
We hope a lost filling doesn’t interrupt your meal, but if one does, we can quickly protect your tooth and prevent bigger problems. Contact the Placerville Dental Group for emergency dental service anytime you lose a filling. We provide exceptional care and same-day appointments whenever possible.
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