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What to Do If Your Dental Fillings Fall Out I Dentist Port Melbourne

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What to Do If Your Dental Fillings Fall Out

Dental fillings are super important. They make your tooth look better and keep it safe from more decay and infections. Cavities can get worse without fillings and even make you lose your tooth. Plus, untreated cavities can hurt a lot, make eating hard, and mess with your everyday life.

Almost three out of four (77.4%) of Australians have at least one filling in their permanent teeth. Dental fillings are like tiny patches for your teeth. They’re used to fix holes called cavities when bacteria eat away at the hard outer layer of your tooth, called enamel. To fix this, dentists clean out the decayed part of the tooth and fill it up with a special material made of metals, resin, or gold. This material seals the hole and helps strengthen your tooth again, stopping decay.

So, what should you do if you notice your dental fillings falling out? Below is more information on managing lost dental fillings better.

Identifying a Lost Dental Filling

Here are some signs to look out for:

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Sensitivity or Pain

Your tooth might feel sensitive or painful, especially when you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet.

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Rough or Uneven Tooth Surface

Run your tongue over the tooth. If it feels bumpy or not smooth, it could mean that your filling has come loose or fallen out.

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Visible Hole or Gap

Take a close look at your tooth. If you see a hole or gap where your filling used to be, the filling is likely gone.

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Food Getting Stuck

Bits of food might get stuck where your filling used to be, causing discomfort or irritation.

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Altered Bite or Discomfort When Biting

You might feel like your bite is different or experience discomfort when you bite down on the tooth. This could mean that your filling has come loose or shifted.

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Metallic Taste

If you taste metal in your mouth, it could mean that the material of your filling has worn away or fallen out.

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What To Do in Case of a Fallen or Broken Dental Filling

Acting quickly and calmly is essential if your dental filling is falling out. First, take a deep breath and remind yourself that help is available. Avoid touching the broken area with your tongue or fingers to prevent germs from getting in and causing problems.

Next, call your dentist right away and explain what happened. Let them know if you’re in pain and ask how to protect your teeth until you can see them. If you can find any pieces of the broken filling, bring them with you when you go to the dentist so they can see if they can be put back in place.

While waiting to see your dentist, taking care of your tooth is essential to prevent further damage. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help keep it clean and reduce pain or swelling. Mix a little salt into a cup of warm water, swish it in your mouth for a few seconds, and then spit it out. After rinsing, gently brush where the filling broke and put a temporary filling material on your tooth. This will protect it until your dentist can fix it properly.

You can also take pain relievers to help with discomfort, but don’t take more than the recommended dose. If you have clove oil, you can put a little bit on the broken tooth to help soothe the pain. And if your face or jaw starts to swell, you can use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce the swelling. Hold it against your face or jaw for about 15 minutes, repeating every few hours as needed.
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Why Emergency Dental Care is Important for Replacing Dental Fillings

Getting emergency dental care to replace fallen dental fillings is important for a few reasons. First, seeing an emergency dentist fast means getting treatment immediately, stopping any more damage to your tooth.

When a filling falls out, your tooth is left open to decay and other problems. Acting fast can stop this from getting worse and keep your tooth healthy.

Next, emergency care means you’ll get quick treatment to help with any pain or sensitivity caused by the missing filling. This means you can eat and drink without any discomfort again.

Also, getting immediate care helps protect your tooth from more damage. Without a filling, your tooth could get cracked or damaged even more. Getting the filling replaced quickly keeps your tooth strong and stops any more serious dental problems from happening.

Plus, when you go for emergency dental visits, the dentist can check everything out carefully and see if there are any other problems. This helps catch any issues early on, so they don’t worsen later.

Going for emergency care also lets you talk to your dentist about what filling options are best for you. They can suggest different materials for the filling and make a treatment plan that suits what you need and want.

What to Expect at the Dental Appointment

Evaluation of the Tooth and Surrounding Area​

The dentist will examine the affected tooth and the surrounding area during your dental appointment. They will assess the extent of the damage caused by the lost filling and determine if any other issues need to be addressed. This evaluation may involve visual inspection, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests to comprehensively understand the situation.

Options For Replacing the Filling

After checking everything, the dentist will talk to you about how to replace the missing filling. They’ll look at things like how big the hole is, where it is, and what you want. Then, they might suggest different filling materials like silver, white, gold, or porcelain. They’ll tell you the good and bad things about each one and help you pick the best option.

Potential Complications or Additional Treatments

In some cases, the loss of a dental filling may reveal underlying issues that require additional treatment. For example, suppose decay has spread beyond the original cavity, or there is damage to the tooth structure. The dentist may recommend additional procedures such as a root canal, crown placement, or tooth extraction. They will discuss potential complications or additional treatments with you and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and circumstances. Communicating openly with your dentist and asking questions is essential to ensure you fully understand the recommended course of action.

What Causes a Filling to Fall Out

Decay

If decay develops around the edges of the filling, it can weaken the bond between the filling and the tooth, causing it to become loose and eventually fall out.

Wear and Tear

Over time, the pressure from chewing and grinding can wear down the filling, causing it to degrade and eventually dislodge.

Poor Fit

If the filling is not placed correctly or there are gaps between the filling and the tooth, it may not adhere securely, making it more likely to fall out.

Cracks or Fractures

If the tooth develops cracks or fractures, it can compromise the integrity of the filling and cause it to become dislodged.

Biting on Hard Objects

Biting on hard objects like ice, pens, or hard candies can put excessive pressure on the filling, causing it to break or fall out.

Chewing Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum can adhere to the filling and pull it out when chewing.

Changes in Tooth Structure

Changes in the tooth structure due to factors like teeth grinding, aging, or dental treatments can affect the stability of the filling and lead to its displacement.

Seal failure

If the filling is not sealed correctly or there are gaps between the filling and the tooth, it may not adhere securely, making it susceptible to displacement.

Dental Filling Repair at Dentist Port Melbourne

Don’t let a lost dental filling hold you back. Schedule your dental filling repair appointment at Dentist Port Melbourne today. Contact us now to book your appointment and get back to smiling confidently.

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