Losing a dental filling can be a surprising and uncomfortable experience. Whether it happens while eating out with friends or seemingly out of nowhere while watching TV, the stress is the same. This is why it’s important to know exactly what to do once it happens. While lost fillings aren’t urgent dental emergencies, it’s still crucial to protect your tooth until you can see a dentist. Read on to find a step-by-step guide to prevent damage when a dental filling falls out.
1. Stay Calm and Assess
The first thing to do is stay calm. Losing a filling can spike your heart rate, but the situation won’t get worse if you handle it quickly and calmly. Start by carefully checking the area where the filling was. If you can find it, tuck it somewhere safe and call your dentist to schedule an appointment.
2. Clean and Protect Your Tooth
Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to clean the area around the affected tooth. This will reduce the risk of infection and help keep the exposed tooth protected from bacteria. If the tooth feels sharp or painful, you can use dental wax or sugarless gum to cover the hole temporarily until you see your dentist.
3. Avoid Certain Foods
While you wait for your dental appointment, avoid hard, sticky, or sugary foods that could irritate or further damage your exposed tooth. Try to stick with soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth to prevent additional pressure on the tooth.
See Your Dentist Soon
Once your appointment time arrives, the worst is over! Your dentist will assess your tooth and the dental filling before deciding what route to take with your treatment. If the filling is intact, it could be reattached. However, if the filling is missing or broken, a new one will need to take its place. Either way, the process should be quick, painless, and stress-free!
Losing a dental filling is inconvenient, but by having a plan and taking action, you can protect your tooth. Just remember—stay calm, protect the tooth, and get to the dentist as soon as possible to restore your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati is a skilled dentist who has served the Peabody community for his whole career. After earning his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, he dove into his practice. Today, he expands his skills through multiple professional organizations like the Massachusetts Dental Society. Call (978) 531-2185 to schedule an emergency appointment at Dr. Spiro Saati DMD, or visit our website to see a full menu of other services we offer.