I've lost a filling, what should I do?

I’ve lost a filling, what should I do?

Most fillings will need to be replaced at some point. Attending regular appointments at your dental practice will allow your dentist to monitor fillings that might be at risk of coming loose or require immediate treatment. However, if you lose a filling between appointments, it can be difficult to know what to do for the best.

There are likely to be several potential treatment options available if you have recently lost a filling and the good news is that they are incredibly effective. Here are a few things that I would recommend, which I hope will put your mind at ease and encourage you to seek appropriate advice and treatment sooner rather than later.

Call Your Dentist
Not only is there a strange sensation if you are missing a significant part of a tooth, but you might also begin to experience additional sensitivity or pain if you lose a filling. Since it could be a choking hazard, removing the filling from your mouth is important to avoid swallowing it. From here, I would recommend scheduling a dental appointment as quickly as possible and taking some paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are experiencing any discomfort.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene
As you might not be able to see your dentist immediately, practicing good oral hygiene is important to keep your mouth as clean as possible. An unfilled tooth can be an effective food trap, which can lead to the accumulation of harmful bacteria.
I recommend brushing thoroughly but gently, paying close attention to carefully removing all food debris from where your filling used to sit. After eating, I also advise rinsing your mouth thoroughly with a warm salt water solution.

Temporary Fillings
It is now possible to purchase temporary filling kits from pharmacies, which will act as a short-term remedy until you have the opportunity to visit your dentist for a more permanent solution. It is important to note here that temporary fillings are only designed to last for a couple of days, so scheduling and attending a dental appointment is still imperative to ensure that your tooth sustains no further damage and to restore the integrity of your smile.

Replacement Fillings
When it comes to replacing your lost filling, there are a variety of treatment options that your dentist might recommend. If the remaining structure of your tooth hasn’t sustained any additional damage, a replacement filling might be all you will need. White fillings can be used in a variety of ways and, as a leading Petersfield dentist, I frequently see how they give my patients an instant confidence boost because they look so natural.

Other Treatment Options for Lost Fillings
If your tooth has lost more than a third of its structure, crowns and bridges might prove to be a more effective treatment options for you. Crowns will give the remaining structure of your natural tooth some additional strength and will blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth. Also, if there is a gap adjacent to the damaged tooth that requires a crown, bridges can be used to restore your smile without the need for a denture.

If you have recently lost a filling, have a concern about an existing filling or would like more information on how the treatments we offer here at The Lodge could restore your confidence in your smile, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team on 01730 266 350.