Fillings are a great way to fight back against cavities, but they don’t last forever. They can loosen due to new decay around the filling, trauma to the tooth, chewing too hard, grinding your teeth, or eating really hard, crunchy, or gummy foods.
But what are you supposed to do if your filling falls out? Don’t panic. Here’s a step-by-step guide from Lake Bluff Dental.
First, we recommend you make a dental emergency kit and keep it at your home, at your office, in your car, or anywhere else it will be easy to access if you have an emergency. It should contain:
This will ensure you can react quickly if you have an emergency. And while a pulled-out filling is not a very serious dental emergency, having the right supplies on-hand will make it easier to take care of your issue.
If possible, try to recover your filling and put it into a small plastic container or bag. This will help Dr. Carolyn Griffin figure out why it failed, and ensure you get the follow-up treatment you need
Then, call us at (414) 962-1800 to tell the team at Lake Bluff Dental, about your situation. While you could wait a day or two to get your filling replaced, it’s always better to get same-day care, when possible, and we’re here to help!
This is when it’s great to have some temporary dental cement or wax. This chemical cement can be applied directly to the affected tooth, and when it dries and hardens, it will protect the tooth from feeling tender and sensitive. Wax is similar, but it stays pliable and doesn’t stay on your tooth as long.
However, there are other ways to treat your discomfort. You can take Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil to help with the pain, or use Orajel or a similar topical treatment to numb the affected tooth. Applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth may also help with discomfort.
The above steps are only temporary solutions to keep you comfortable until it’s time to get professional dental care. So make sure to come to our office at the scheduled time for your appointment with Dr. Griffin. She will assess your tooth, determine the cause of the issue, and replace your filling to restore your smile and your bite.
When a filling falls out, you need an experienced, reliable dentist in Shorewood to provide you with emergency dental care. So don’t wait. Contact Lake Bluff Dental at (414) 962-1800 for a same-day consultation with Dr. Griffin, and get the help you need to restore your smile and get back to your day-to-day routine.