Don’t panic. A filling falling out of your tooth isn’t the end of the world, but acting fast can make all the difference in the outcome for the affected tooth. Whether you lost your filling because you bit into something too hard, you got injured during a sport, you grind your teeth, or for another reason, you want to know what to do when you feel that telltale hole in your tooth.
The dental team at Union Square Dental in the Flatiron District of New York City offers emergency dentistry to get the immediate care you need after losing a filling. To ensure the best results, take these steps immediately.
Step #1: Preserve the filling
If the filling falls out and you can find it or didn’t swallow it, put it in a safe, clean space. Since the filling is tiny, it helps put it in a canister, jar, or bag. Then, place the stored filling in a safe place. Once you get your appointment scheduled (more on that next), take your filling with you to our office.
Step #2: Make an appointment
Call us the moment you lose your filling so we can address the issue right away. Without the filling in place, the interior of your tooth is exposed to damage and decay. It’s essential to get immediate care to safeguard the tooth.
Step #3: Protect the tooth
That leads us to the next step. Take steps to protect the tooth now that it has lost its filling. Stir a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, and gargle it to clean the tooth gently. If you need to eat between losing your filling and your appointment with us, chew on the other side of your mouth and brush gently afterward.
Step #4: Treat any pain
Suppose you have tooth pain after losing your filling. In that case, you can apply a cold compress to the area or take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., ibuprofen) to alleviate your discomfort.
Step #5: Visit us
At your appointment, we’ll determine if you can reuse your filling or if you’ll need a new one. If so, we discuss your filling options so you can choose the best, longest-lasting option for yourself.
For replacing a lost filling and all of your oral healthcare needs, make an appointment online or over the phone at our office in the Flatiron District of New York City.