Dental fillings are substances that are used by dentists to fill the hole and cracks in the teeth of patients.
If the procedure is done correctly, the filling can last for 7 to 30 years. That said, it is worth noting that many factors can make tooth filling fall out prematurely.
If you are like most people, the first thing you do when your tooth filling comes out is to panic or surf the web for a quick solution to the problem.
While it is important to take quick action, you shouldn’t be too worried if your dental filling came out, as the issue can easily be resolved.
In this article, we are going to be looking at what to do if a filling comes out. This article is also going to shed light on a few other things you need to know about dental filling.
Before we dive right into the core of this article, we are first going to explore some reasons why your dental filling fell out.
Reasons why your tooth filling fell out
If your teeth filling fell out, you are likely going to wonder if did something wrong and may even be contemplating changing your oral habits. Well, the truth is that tooth filling can fall out for several reasons. Below are a few of them.
Biting
Biting tough foods can loosen your dental filling. If this continues for long your dental fillings will eventually fall out.
Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding or Bruxism can affect the integrity of your dental filler and eventually cause them to fall out.
Tooth decay
If you happen to develop tooth decay in the area around the filled tooth, it may fall out.
Saliva
Saliva can weaken the bonding of the dental filling after a long time.
Chewing
Chewing hard candy, ice, nuts, and some hard objects regularly may loosen the fillings after a while.
Things you should do if your tooth filling fell out
Below are 5 things you should do if your cavity filling came out.
Contact your dentist
Instead of panicking, you should call your dentist and book an appointment. Be sure to tell them if you are in pain or are experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms. If for some reason, you cannot see them right away, you should ask them about things you can do to protect the exposed tooth.
Keep the area clean
Quickly clean the area the filling came out from to get rid of infection-causing bacteria, germs, and food remains. Do not use a toothbrush to clean the affected area, as it may cause more damage. Instead, gargle a mixture of salt and water. The solution can help kill germs and prevent infection without causing further damage to the affected area.
Ensure that you are following a good oral care routine
Whether your tooth filling fell out or your temporary filling came out, you shouldn’t stop cleaning your mouth. You even need to follow your dental care routine strictly. Be careful when cleaning the area where the tooth filling broke off so that you don’t cause more damage.
Don’t chew or bite hard food
Many people usually ask- Can I eat if my filling came out? Well, the answer is yes. You can still can. But you should pay close attention to what you consume. Only consume soft food and liquid food until you see your dentist. Make sure you don’t bite or chew hard food and items like ice with the exposed tooth. Another thing you should avoid besides hard food is sugary foods, sodas, soft drinks, and candy. Eating these foods may speed up the rate of tooth decay.
To be on the safe side, you should limit the amount of chewing and eating you do until you have seen a dental care expert.
Use a temporary filling
If you can’t see your dentist when your tooth filling falls out, you should consider opting for a temporary material to fill your tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist before taking this step. Don’t forget that using a temporary filling is a short-term fix to the problem. So you should still make plans to see a dentist after using a temporary dental filling.
What to do if you are in pain?
If you are experiencing pain after your dental filling fell out, you should quickly call your doctor and say something like –“my filling fell out and it hurts”. Below are a few things they may recommend to provide relief.
Over-the-counter medication
Taking drugs like Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and pain in the affected area. If the pain is intense, then you should take pain relief medication to help reduce the discomfort you are feeling.
Clove oil
Clove oil, which is also known as, Syzygium aromaticum, is essential and can effectively stop tooth pain. You can get your hands on a high-quality clove oil at a grocery store or a pharmacy.
Here is how to use clove oil.
· Dilute a small quantity of clove oil with coconut oil or olive oil
· Insert a cotton ball into the solution (leave it for a while until it is completely soaked)
· Apply the cotton ball to your exposed tooth
· Reapply after a couple of hours if you continue to experience the pain
Ice pack and Cold compress
Wrap ice cubes with a clean soft cloth and apply them to the affected area. Alternatively, you can use a cold compress. You will start experiencing relief 15 after using a cold compress or an ice pack.
Numbing agents
Numbing agents like Orajel and Anbesol can temporarily reduce the pain in the affected area.
Complications may arise if you don’t fix a loose filling
Regardless of how busy you are, you should make plans to visit your dentist as quickly as possible after losing a filling. Not taking swift action may increase the risk of infection, tooth decay, and further damage to the tooth.
What to do if I accidentally swallowed my tooth filling?
If you are like most people, you are likely going to be worried after swallowing a tooth filling. Well, there is no need for you to be alarmed, as the filling can easily be passed out from your body.
That said, it is also important that you seek prompt medical attention. You see, tooth filling may cause serious irritation in the lungs.
How long does tooth filing last
The life span of a dental filling is determined by factors like the position and size of the filling, the filling material that is used, and your oral care routine.
If you clean your teeth and floss every day and you visit your dentist every couple of months, your filling will remain in a good condition for a long time.
Below is the life span of some popular filling materials
· Gold fillings: They can last for 15 to 30 years
· Amalgam filling: 5 to 25 years
· Composite fillings: 5 to 15 years
Tips on how to prevent your tooth filling from becoming loose
Let’s face it, no one wants their dental fillings falling out. Besides it being painful and uncomfortable, it may affect your routine until you have fixed it. Well, preventing your dental filling from becoming loose isn’t as difficult as you probably think. All you need to do is to follow a good oral care routine and visit your dentist to have the filling examined now and then. Here are some tips that can also help.
· Change your toothbrush after every 3 months
· Switch to an electric toothbrush, as it can remove more plaque and food remains.
· Brush your tongue regularly. You can take a step further by using a tongue scraper.
· Floss daily
· Use high-quality fluoride toothpaste
· If you don’t want your cavity filling falling out, you should never chew hard foods like nuts, seeds, and hard candy.
· Avoid or reduce your intake of sugary and sticky foods, as they can weaken your dental filling and cause tooth decay.
· Don’t grind your teeth. If this is something you struggle with you should consider using a mouth guard or a splint
· Visit your dentist if the filled area becomes extremely sensitive.
Final note
While tooth fillings don’t last forever, they can remain in good condition for a long time if they are properly maintained.
If after your best efforts your tooth filling still falls out, you should see a dental care expert as soon as possible. Not visiting a dentist on time to replace the filling can increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral issues.
Before your appointment with your dentist, you should clean the affected area (salt and water solution). It is always important that you avoid hard foods and sugary drinks.