Step one: do not panic. Fillings are not meant to last a lifetime; they will eventually fail and need to be replaced. Here is what you can do if your cavity filling comes loose or falls out unexpectedly. After you are done not panicking, you are going to want to remove the filling from your mouth to ensure you do not accidentally swallow or inhale it. Also be sure to remove any small pieces of the filling if there are any. Call your dentist as soon as you can to schedule an appointment. Cornerstone Dental sets aside emergency services hours every week, ensuring that there is flexibility in our schedule to accommodate unexpected dental needs.

Proper Hygiene and Care

If you are not able to see your dentist immediately, it is important to practice impeccable dental hygiene until you are able to.

Avoid eating foods that may cause more damage to the tooth and try to stick with softer foods

Try to use the opposite side of your mouth to chew food

Avoid sugary foods and sodas that can quickly cause tooth decay

Brush gently and carefully inside of the hole where the filling was to remove all food debris

Rinse your mouth out with warm saltwater after eating to help remove food particles as well

 

What do I do if there is pain?

If you are experiencing any pain associated with your missing filling, it is likely that you have exposed dentin tubules (which send pain signals to you brain). We recommend you call your dentist to see if you can possibly get in sooner rather than later, but if it is not possible, there are other options. You can take over the counter pain medicines such as Tylenol, Advil or ibuprofen. If those do not work, there are a few different brands of temporary dental filling materials, such as Dentemp, Temparin and Refilit, which you can use to fill the empty cavity.

Are You Need Of Dental Fillings In The Martinsburg Area?

If you are in need of dental fillings you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.