Hold on and catch your breath if you are in panic mode because the filling fell out from your teeth. As terrifying it might seem, hysteria will take you nowhere. As soon as you notice that the filling fell out, either small or big, stop eating immediately and spit out the filling material from your mouth.
Swallowing the material used for filling is not a smart move; they are made up of resin, composite fillings, or metals like gold or silver. It is best to spit it promptly.
If your tooth filling fell out yet it does not hurt, then you are lucky. This situation is not necessarily a dental emergency, but the pain due to nerves being exposed is something unbearable. Triggers such as air, hot or cold, are a nuisance to deal with.
Maintaining good oral health is of prime importance even after you are done with restoring the cavity in a tooth or dental implant fixation in place of a missing tooth. It does not matter if the fillings fell out or you got new dental crowns; proper brush and floss techniques are essential.
Why Did the Filling from Your Teeth Fell out?
If the filling material from your cavity fell out during brushing, it is most probably due to the wrong vigorous brushing technique. It happens gradually, the brushing force slowly loosens the filling day by day, and then it comes off.
Another reason for fillings to fall out of the teeth is hard biting; the pressure breaks the filling bond. It initially loosens and then comes out.
Plaque buildup is recurrent with inappropriate brush and floss regimes. Its removal becomes increasingly difficult when plaque hardens to form tartar. There are several remedies to remove plaque or tartar without a dentist’s help, but it is not recommended to do so.
Sometimes the dental filling falls off due to continuous regular wear and tear.
What to Do When a Filling Falls Out?
Here’s what you should immediately do:
- Inform your dentist about this situation. It is better not to wait and let the issue hang. Additionally, ask for tips on what to do till the date of appointment for the least risks of complications.
- You can decide whether or not to keep the fillings.
- Take half a teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in a cup of water. Gently swish, swirl and spit; saltwater rinse works well for max bacterial control.
- Gently brush the area where the filling used to be.
- Avoid chewy food, especially in the affected area.
- Until you get to the dentist, use wax to save the exposed tooth nerves and vessels.
- Additionally, dab the area using a cotton ball dipped in clove oil to relieve pain.
- If you happen to have a crown, try placing it back. Make sure to clean and get rid of the debris before placing it back again.
- Use a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
- OTC painkillers for pain relief.
- Use of topical numbing agents.
What to Do in the Mean Time?
It is best to rush to your dentist immediately. However, if you cannot, for any reason, keep a good oral hygiene routine and closely monitor what is happening in the site of action. Looking for a good dental surgeon for your queries? Head to Mission Bend family Dentistry. Call now at 832-895-5110 for more information.