You’re eating a sandwich, minding your own business, and suddenly you feel something hard that isn’t supposed to be there. You poke around with your tongue. There’s a hole where your filling used to be. First, don’t panic. This happens more often than you’d think. Fillings don’t last forever. They wear down, they loosen up, and sometimes they just decide they’ve had enough.
But what do you do if a filling fell out? Do you need to rush to the emergency room? Can you wait until morning? Here’s your step-by-step guide, straight from our Chapel Hill dental office.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Take a breath. A lost filling isn’t a life-threatening emergency. It’s uncomfortable and annoying, but you have time to think.
Look in the mirror. Is there any sharp edge? Is there bleeding? Is there throbbing pain? Most of the time, the answer is no to all three. You’ll feel a rough spot or a hole, and maybe some sensitivity, but that’s about it.
If you’re in severe pain that won’t quit, or if there’s swelling in your face or jaw, call us right away. That could mean the decay goes deeper than the filling, and you might need more urgent care. But for most people, a lost filling is a “call us tomorrow” situation, not a “rush to the ER” situation.
Step 2: Protect the Area
While you wait to see us, keep that tooth clean and protected. Here’s what to do.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water: This cleans the area without being too harsh. Don’t swish aggressively. Just a gentle rinse.
- If the tooth edge feels sharp and cuts your tongue or cheek, cover it with a small piece of dental wax: You can find this at most drugstores. Sugar-free gum can work in a pinch, but dental wax is better because it won’t stick to the tooth or pull on anything.
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth: Stick to soft foods. Think yogurt, soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes. Nothing crunchy. Nothing sticky. Nothing too hot or too cold if you’re feeling sensitive.
Step 3: Keep It Clean
Brush gently around the area, but be careful not to poke at the hole. You don’t want to irritate the exposed tooth or push food into it. Floss carefully too. If food gets stuck in the empty space, it can cause pain and lead to infection. A gentle rinse after meals helps.
You can also use a sensitive toothpaste if you’re feeling a zing when you breathe in cold air. It won’t fix the problem, but it can take the edge off.
Step 4: Call Us
This is the important part. Even if it doesn’t hurt, you need to replace that filling. Without it, the tooth is vulnerable. Bacteria can get into the exposed area, and before you know it, you’re looking at a bigger problem. What could’ve been a simple filling replacement might turn into a root canal or a crown.
Call Tarheel Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at your earliest convenience. We’ll get you in, take a look, and get that tooth sealed up again. Most of the time, replacing a filling is quick and easy. You’ll be in and out before your lunch break is over.
How to Avoid This in the Future
Fillings don’t last forever, but you can help them last longer. Don’t chew on ice or hard candy. If you grind your teeth at night, talk to us about a night guard. And of course, keep up with your regular checkups. We can spot a loose filling before it falls out and fix it on your schedule, not on your sandwich’s schedule.
If your filling just fell out, don’t stress. Call us or request an appointment online. We’ll take care of you.
