Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures for handling tooth decay. When tooth decay begins it will eat away at a tooth until a cavity forms. But with a dental filling you can save the tooth and remove the decay. But like any synthetic material, a filling is not indestructible. Injury, tooth decay, and other issues can break a filling or make it feel loose. If you have an issue with your dental filling and live in the Chicago area, give us a call to set up a meeting.
While a filling is meant to be a semi-permanent solution to a cavity, it can gall out after a long period of time. There are certain factors that increase the risk of a filling falling out. The first and most pressing issue is new decay.The reason there is a filling is because tooth decay created a cavity in that tooth. If decay starts up again around the filling it will erode the tooth surrounding the filling making it lose and eventually causing it to fall out. Another common issue is chewing on hard foods. Chewing on ice or other hard foods can damage the surface of your molars and damage fillings as well. In a similar sense, bruxism, or teeth grinding can also put pressure on fillings.
If your filling falls out the first thing to do is call a dentist. We recommend finding an emergency dentist in your area that provides immediate services. An emergency dentist can help you get the treatment you need. If possible bring the filling with you. Your dentist can determine whether or not it can be reused. Use saltwater to clean your mouth and prevent food or other debris from getting into your tooth. If you are unable to make a dental appointment on the same day, you will want to take care of your tooth carefully and gargle salt water after meals to prevent food from getting inside your tooth. Avoid chewing with the tooth that lost the filling.
If your tooth filling falls out and you are experiencing pain you can use over-the-counter pain killers like ibuprofen or aspirin to help decrease your pain while waiting to see a dentist. Additionally, a cold compress or ice pack can help numb your mouth area.
Not getting a filling replaced could lead to several complications. Bacteria and food particles could end up inside the tooth and this can spread the infection to the dentin (the part of the tooth that is underneath the enamel). This area of the tooth is much more susceptible to tooth decay. If decay spreads here you may need to have your tooth removed due to infection. The longer your tooth decay isn’t treated the more likely that tooth will need to be removed.
If you live in the Chicago area, we can help with dental appointments. Give us a call or use our appointment scheduling tool to schedule an appointment for you or a member of your family.
