Have you ever been eating something when you feel a mysterious crunch? It may have been one of your fillings. This kind of scenario isn’t uncommon. Fillings are one of the most-used treatments in the world due to the prevalence of tooth decay. But what should you do now that your filling has come loose? Continue reading to see your next steps.
Step 1: Be Calm
It can be easy to despair or panic when you’ve lost a filling. This could be due to financial constraints, lack of time, or general confusion. The best thing to do is take deep breaths and analyze your situation.
Once you have a calm mind, you can make a plan to get your pearly whites back into tip-top shape.
Step 2: Locate the Filling
It may not always be possible to save a filling once it’s fallen out, but if you can find it, your dentist may be able to use it to make a replacement.
Step 3: Make a Dentist Appointment
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to make a call to your dentist and set up an appointment. If you’re in pain, or if there are any other details you think you need to share, be sure to tell them now instead of waiting for your appointment time.
This way, your dentist can prepare for you in advance.
Step 4: Clean Your Teeth
Clean the affected area with your normal oral hygiene routine. Brush gently around the area where the filling came from. Then you should floss and rinse to warm salty water to ensure that there are no left-over food particles. This could potentially irritate the tooth or make it infected.
Step 5: Find a Temporary Filler
Many pharmacies and general stores have temporary filling materials. Using this to fill the gap in your tooth will not only help keep out unwanted food and plaque but can also ease any pain you may be having.
It’s important to keep the area around your lost filling clean and guarded. Otherwise, it may end up infecting the tooth, necessitating the need for a root canal or other treatment. Once you see your dentist at the appointment, they’ll be able to replace any lost filling you have and ease the pain that ails you.
Remember that a regular oral hygiene routine and dental checkups are the key to victory when it comes to maintaining the strength of your fillings and other treatments!
About the Author
Dr. Jayme Glamm is fulfilled every day she gets to help one of her patients with their smile. Her true passion for dentistry and helping others translates to top-quality dental treatments that last. Dr. Glamm earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. She then expanded her education with a prestigious General Practice Residency at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. To schedule an appointment at Glamm Dentistry, call (614) 487-0112 or visit the website to learn more.