What To Do If Your Fillings Are Loose

What To Do If Your Fillings Are Loose

Losing a filling may be a surprising occurrence, but it's very common. Learn what to do here.

You may have been crunching on some ice or chewing gum when you feel one of your fillings become loose. You may have even Fillingsdiscovered that it's completely fallen out. Dr. Michael A. White, a dentist in Chehalis, Washington, offers some tips on how to deal with this common dental problem.

Why does this happen?

Many times, Dr. White finds that decay has developed near or underneath an existing filling. If the decay has altered the shape of the tooth, the filling that was made for it will no longer fit. Gradual wear on a tooth may also cause old fillings to become loose.

What can I do if I have a lost or loosened filling?

Dislodging a filling can be an inconvenience, but it's rarely an emergency. However, you may find that your tooth has quite a bit of sensitivity due to the inner portions of the tooth being exposed to air, pressure, heat or cold.

You should make an appointment to see your Chehalis dentist, Dr. White, as soon as you can. Waiting too long can cause more problems to develop. However, if this happens after office hours and you're experiencing discomfort, try dabbing a bit of clove oil on the tooth using a cotton swab. Clove oil can be purchased at pharmacies; you may also find it in the herb and spice aisle of a grocery store. Pharmacies also carry dental cement, which you can spread over the tooth until you can get in to see Dr. White at his Chehalis office.

How will this be fixed?

If your filling has fallen out as a result of decay, you'll need to have another filling put in. Dr. White will also need to remove the new decay before he can place another porcelain or amalgam filling on it.

If you've lost a filling and need to see a Chehalis dentist for repair, give Dr. Michael A. White's office a call to set up an appointment.

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