Losing a tooth filling can be nerve-wracking, but have no fear: there are a few simple steps that you can take to restore the health and appearance of your tooth. In this article, we will discuss the steps to take after losing a filling to help you take an informed approach to the treatment you need.
How Did I Lose My Filling?
Losing a tooth filling is a relatively common occurrence. Understanding why your filling came out can help you avoid this issue in the future. Below are some common causes for losing a tooth filling:
New Tooth Decay
While modern tooth fillings are exceptionally durable, they will typically fail when a new cavity develops beneath or around them.
In most cases, poor oral hygiene habits and generally poor oral health lead to tooth decay. Failing to keep up with caring for your teeth with brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning appointments places your teeth at significant risk.
Be sure to practice proper oral hygiene at home and follow up with your dentist or hygienist during your in-office visits for information about keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Chewing Hard, Crunchy, or Chewy Foods
When you had your fillings placed, you were probably advised to avoid chewy, hard, or sticky foods. This is for good reason!
These types of foods pose a risk to the structure and health of both your tooth and your fillings. Chewy and sticky foods like taffy, caramel, and even gum can potentially dislodge the filling right out of the tooth. Sticky foods can also get stuck on (and in between) the teeth, which can dramatically increase your risk of developing cavities.
Chewing on hard foods like nuts, hard candies, or ice can cause structural damage to the filling or tooth and cause some serious toothaches. It’s best to maintain a “tooth-friendly” diet to keep your smile strong and beautiful.
Excessive Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Regular and excessive teeth grinding (clinically known as bruxism) can pose a serious risk to both the health and appearance of the teeth.
Grinding the teeth places stress on the crown of the tooth, wearing the enamel down over time. In addition to wearing down the teeth over time, this can cause damage to a tooth filling, and can potentially completely dislodge it from its place inside the tooth.
Some people are completely unaware that they grind their teeth, as they do it while they sleep. If you tend to wake up with a stiff jaw, headache, or soreness in your molars, you may want to consult your dentist to determine if you are grinding your teeth. You may be given a mouthguard to help protect your teeth from further damage.
Of course, the best way to determine why you lost your filling is to have an examination done with your trusted dentist. Here at Wellness Dental, we will take a thorough look and help you develop a plan for fully restoring your tooth.
My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Replace My Old Filling?
So, is losing a tooth filling an emergency? Simply put: yes!
Even if you aren’t currently experiencing tooth pain inside the mouth, it’s highly likely you will–sooner than later, unfortunately.
Upon losing a filling, many people wonder just how long you can go without a filling. The truth is that it is crucial to have the issue addressed as soon as you possibly can, even if you only lost a portion of the filling.
When it comes to losing a dental filling, there is more than meets the eye. Once the filling has fallen out or broken apart, it leaves the underlying tooth structure exposed. Without the protective outer layer of enamel to protect it, the inner layers of the tooth (dentin) are exceptionally vulnerable.
If a new filling is not placed, sugars, acids, and bacteria will make contact with the dentin and drastically increase the chance of new cavities forming. Over time, the tooth enamel will wear away, eventually exposing the central nerve and placing you at risk for developing a serious toothache. What’s more, is that you may potentially cut your tongue on the broken tooth structure.
Once the tooth decay has reached this point, it’s likely that this level of tooth decay will cause significant tooth pain. A root canal and dental crown must be done in order to restore the tooth and remove the damaged or infected central nerve and pulp. With these types of treatments, you may have a temporary filling placed to protect the tooth. After placement, you may find that your temporary filling hurts a bit; this is normal, and can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Once the permanent filling is placed and the restoration is complete, you can expect any pain or soreness to subside.
If the issue is not dealt with in a timely manner, it is likely that the health of the tooth will fail altogether, leading to tooth loss. It is best to replace your missing filling as soon as you possibly can to avoid any serious dental emergencies.
How to Fix a Lost Filling
Lost filling treatment may be much more straightforward than you think! As long as you intercept the issue in a timely manner, it’s highly likely that a new filling can be placed to replace the old one.
Prior to your appointment, it’s crucial that you keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side of the mouth to prevent infection or further damage.
Consider purchasing an over-the-counter tooth filling at your local drugstore to keep the area as protected as possible.
When you arrive at Wellness Dental, we will conduct a thorough examination of the mouth and take a few diagnostic x-rays to determine the extent of the damage and what type of dental restoration must be done to correct the issue at hand. Your dentist will remove any trace of the old filling, as well as any new tooth decay that may have formed.
Invisible tooth fillings will be placed inside the tooth to restore the cavity. Unlike traditional amalgam dental fillings, which are commonly known as “silver” fillings, this type of treatment is nearly invisible to the naked eye. The shade of your new filling will be expertly matched to your natural teeth to ensure a seamless and natural appearance.
If the decay lies in the center of the tooth, an inlay will be placed. If the outer edges or “cusps” of the tooth are more affected, an onlay will be placed. Your tooth will be good as new!
Wellness Dental: Best Dentist in Arizona
When you are ready to begin your journey toward the perfect smile, the Wellness Dental team is here for you. For the best dental fillings in Arizona, place your trust in the dental experts at Wellness Dental.
We will help you design and achieve the gorgeous smile that you have always dreamed of. Together, we can develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
No dental insurance? No problem; we offer flexible payment solutions to ensure that everyone has access to the dental care they need. We are also proud to provide complimentary first-time evaluations.
For more information about replacing a lost filling in tooth or to get scheduled for a consultation in one of our dental clinics, give us a call today.
