Think Your Cavity Filling Fell Out? What to Do

Your dental fillings protect your teeth from decay, that can lead to a dental infection. Dental fillings don’t last forever, and when they get old enough, they can fall out. A missing filling can be a serious problem if it’s not addressed right away. Seeing your dentist in Morristown, TN, about your missing filling is important. If you’re missing a dental filling, here’s what you need to do.

What To Do With the Filling

If you have the dental filling or know where it is, wash it with water and put it in a plastic bag that seals. Place it somewhere safe, like your medicine cabinet, until you’re able to see the dentist.

What to Do About Pain

When your dental filling falls out, you may be in pain. Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, to help you manage your pain. It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions when taking medication for tooth pain, so ask your dentist about this when you call them.

Clean The Area

Clean the tooth by gargling with salt water. You can make the salt water yourself by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Don’t swallow the water.

Contact the Dentist

Contact your dentist as soon as possible to let them know that you’ve lost your filling and need assistance. Ask your dentist about the pain medication they recommend.
Did you lose a cavity filling in Morristown, TN? If so, call your dentist at Simple Dental for help. We offer emergency dental care to patients who need it, and we can help you, too.

When Do I Need Tooth Fillings?

As the leading dental urgent care clinic in Morristown, Tennessee, Simple Dental offers a variety of services. This includes dental fillings, as well as emergency dental care, tooth extractions, and root canals. Decide if now is the time to see about an aching or discolored tooth. We may be able to remedy the issue with the use of tooth fillings.

4 Reasons You Might Need Tooth Fillings

Here are four ways you can tell that you need to see your dentist in Morristown, TN, for a tooth filling.

Toothaches

If you are suffering from constant or throbbing toothaches in a single area, you may have a cavity. Tooth fillings are added to a hole in the tooth left behind when decay is removed. The result is no more toothaches caused by a cavity or decay.

Cracked Tooth

When you crack a tooth, this causes pain in the tooth down to the root. You may also suffer a swollen jaw and possibly an infection in the tooth and gum. Remedy the cracked tooth by visiting your TN dentist for tooth fillings in the crack of the tooth.

Sensitivity When Drinking or Eating

Do you have sudden pain in your teeth when you eat or drink? Any sensitivities in the tooth or gums when eating or drinking are indications that you may have something amiss. A tooth filling may be the solution for resolving cracked or decaying teeth.

Visible Indications of Decay

A tooth that is gray or black may be decaying from the inside. This decay can result from many issues, such as erupted tooth roots or infection in the gum tissue. Visit a dentist to clean out the decay in the tooth. Our dentist will fill the missing tooth to protect it from further loss.

See Our Morristown, TN Dentist Today for Tooth Fillings

Stop suffering from mouth pain and consider a tooth filling in Morristown, TN. Our dental urgent care clinic at Simple Dental is ready to solve your toothache and apply a filling. Contact our office at 423-438-0692 for an appointment.

Tooth Fillings 101: A Closer Look for Curious Patients

Most people will need at least one dental filling at some point in their adult lives. Dental fillings in Morristown, TN are perhaps one of the most common dental treatments, there can be questions if you are anticipating your first filling.

What are tooth fillings made of?

Tooth fillings can be made of different materials, and the dentist may recommend different types of fillings depending on the size and location of your cavity. However, composite resin and amalgam are the two most common types of dental filling materials. Composite resin is pigmented to match the share of your teeth, while amalgam fillings are made with a mixture of metal compounds and appear gray.

How long will tooth fillings actually last?

Tooth fillings are a common procedure because they are so effective and long-lasting. The life span of a filling varies depending on the material used and a number of other factors. For example, amalgam fillings tend to have a longer life span than composite. However, you can easily expect the filling to be fine for at least 5 to 15 years in most cases.

How do you take care of a tooth with a filling?

Once a filling is placed, you will continue to brush, floss, and attend regular oral hygiene appointments. There is no necessary change in your dental care habits at home. The dentist will monitor the filling to ensure it is still protecting your tooth and no further decay has developed during every oral health checkup.

Discuss Dental Fillings with a Skilled Morristown, TN Dentist

Do you suspect you need a cavity treated with a filling? At Simple Dental, we’re the skilled Morristown, TN dentist that can help. Reach out to schedule an appointment.

Sources

How Long Do Fillings Last? Types, Prevention & More (healthline.com)