Dental fillings are designed to restore teeth damaged by decay and can last for many years with proper care. However, fillings don’t last forever. Over time, normal wear and tear, biting forces, or new decay can cause a filling to loosen or fall out. If you suddenly lose a filling, don’t panic, but don’t ignore the problem, either.
Knowing what to do can help protect your tooth until you can see your dentist.
Why Do Fillings Fall Out?
There are several reasons a dental filling may come loose or fall out, including:
- Normal wear over time.
- Tooth decay developing around the edges of the filling.
- Biting down on hard foods or ice.
- Teeth grinding or clenching.
- Trauma or an injury to the mouth.
Regardless of the cause, a lost filling leaves part of your tooth exposed, making it more vulnerable to damage and sensitivity.
What Should You Do First?
If you notice a filling has fallen out, rinse your mouth gently with warm water to remove any debris. If you can find the filling, keep it, although your dentist will usually replace it with a new restoration rather than reuse the old one.
Next, inspect the tooth without poking or prodding it. You may notice a hole where the filling used to be or experience sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Call your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, it still needs professional attention to prevent further complications.
How to Protect the Tooth
Until you can be seen, there are several ways to protect the affected tooth:
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
- Stay away from very hot, cold, sticky, or sugary foods.
- Brush and floss gently to keep the area clean.
- If the tooth has sharp edges, cover them with temporary dental wax if recommended.
- Over-the-counter temporary filling material may help protect the tooth for a short time, but it is not a substitute for professional care.
If you’re experiencing discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever may help, provided it’s appropriate for you to take.
What Happens If You Wait?
It can be tempting to postpone treatment if the tooth isn’t painful, but delaying care can lead to bigger problems. Without a filling, bacteria can enter the exposed area of the tooth, increasing the risk of new decay or infection. The weakened tooth is also more likely to crack or fracture under normal chewing pressure.
Prompt treatment is often simpler, less invasive, and less expensive than waiting until more extensive damage occurs.
How Your Dentist Will Repair the Tooth
During your appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth to determine why the filling came out. If the remaining tooth structure is healthy, replacing the filling may be all that’s needed.
If additional decay is present or the tooth has become weakened, your dentist may recommend a larger filling, an inlay or onlay, or a dental crown to restore its strength and function.
A missing filling may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can quickly become a more serious dental problem if left untreated. Contacting your dentist promptly gives you the best chance of protecting your tooth and avoiding more complex treatment.
About the Practice
If you’ve lost a dental filling or suffered some other type of dental emergency, don’t panic – we can help! We offer same-day, after-hours, and weekend emergency appointments so we can get you in and tend to your situation quickly. Our compassionate dental team is here for every patient, which includes sedation methods to ensure a calm, comfortable experience. Don’t delay, book online or call our Fort Smith office at (479) 452-1638.