You’re eating dinner when you suddenly feel something hard in your mouth. Or perhaps your tongue finds a hole in a tooth that definitely wasn’t there yesterday. Losing a filling can be uncomfortable and unsettling, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re facing a major dental emergency.
A missing filling does leave part of the tooth exposed, however, so it’s worth arranging an assessment rather than simply getting used to it. Contacting a dentist Liverpool patients can visit allows the tooth to be examined, the reason the filling failed to be identified and the appropriate treatment to be recommended.
What you do between noticing the problem and reaching the dental chair matters too. A few sensible precautions can help protect the tooth and make the situation easier to manage.
Take the Filling Out of Your Mouth
If the filling has completely detached and you can safely remove it from your mouth, do so.
You don’t want to accidentally swallow it or, more importantly, inhale it.
There’s usually no need to panic if you’ve already swallowed a small filling, but contact a healthcare professional if you’re concerned. Difficulty breathing, choking or suspicion that the material has entered the airway requires urgent medical attention.
Don’t attempt to push the old filling back into the tooth yourself.
Rinse Your Mouth Gently
Food can easily collect in the space left behind by a missing filling.
Gently rinsing your mouth with warm water can help clear loose debris. Continue brushing your teeth, but take extra care around the affected area if it’s sensitive.
Keeping the tooth clean is important, but aggressive brushing or repeatedly poking the hole with your tongue, fingernail or another object isn’t helpful.
The area may feel strange simply because your tongue isn’t accustomed to the new shape.
Be Careful With What You Eat
Until the tooth has been assessed, try not to place unnecessary pressure on it.
Chew on the opposite side of your mouth where practical and avoid particularly hard, crunchy or sticky foods.
Things like hard lollies, ice and very chewy foods can place additional stress on a tooth that may already be weakened.
Temperature can also become an issue.
If the exposed tooth is sensitive, very hot or cold food and drinks may cause discomfort. Choose moderate temperatures until you know what’s happening.
Don’t Assume the Filling Was the Only Problem
Fillings can fail for different reasons.
Sometimes the filling itself has worn down or loosened over time. In other cases, there may be new decay around it, or part of the remaining tooth may have fractured.
Teeth also experience significant forces from everyday chewing and, for some people, grinding or clenching.
That’s why replacing a lost filling isn’t always as simple as putting an identical one back in.
The dentist needs to examine what’s left of the tooth first.
What If the Tooth Hurts?
Some people lose a filling and feel almost nothing. Others experience immediate sensitivity or pain.
Pay attention to the type of discomfort you’re experiencing.
Brief sensitivity to temperature or pressure is different from severe, persistent or worsening pain. Swelling, fever, facial swelling, pus, a bad taste associated with drainage or significant difficulty opening your mouth can indicate a problem requiring prompt professional assessment.
Seek urgent medical attention for severe facial or neck swelling, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing.
Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, however, don’t assume it’s fine to leave indefinitely.
Be Cautious With Temporary Repair Products
Pharmacies may sell temporary dental filling materials designed for short-term use.
These products aren’t a substitute for professional treatment, and they should only be used according to their instructions. If you’re unsure whether one is appropriate for your situation, ask a dentist or pharmacist.
Avoid improvising with household products.
Never use household glue or similar adhesives inside your mouth. They’re not designed for dental treatment and may complicate proper repair.
Arrange a Dental Appointment
When you call, explain that a filling has fallen out and mention any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Useful details include:
This information can help the dental practice understand how urgently you may need to be seen.
What Might Happen at the Appointment?
Treatment depends on what the examination shows.
If the remaining tooth is healthy and there’s enough structure to support another filling, replacing it may be relatively straightforward.
If there’s additional decay or a larger fracture, a different restoration may be recommended. If the damage extends deeper into the tooth, further treatment could be necessary.
The important point is that the missing filling is only the visible part of the problem. An examination determines what’s happening underneath.
Don’t Wait for It to Become Painful
One of the easiest mistakes to make is postponing treatment because the tooth doesn’t hurt.
Pain isn’t the only sign that a tooth needs attention. A missing restoration can leave the area more vulnerable to food trapping, sensitivity and further damage.
Until your appointment, keep the area clean, avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the tooth and watch for changes in your symptoms.
A filling falling out is frustrating, but it’s usually much easier to deal with when you act early. Protect the tooth, arrange an assessment and let your dentist determine why the filling failed rather than waiting for a small dental problem to become a much more uncomfortable one.