When you first went to the dentist to get your oral health diagnosed, you might have been told that you have cavities on the surface of your teeth. If this was the case, then you received fillings. You might have been under the impression that once your cavities were sealed with the filling material, the material would last forever. But due to the breakdown of the sealant material, chewing on something hard, or a break in the enamel of your teeth, you might now find that your filling has fallen out.
What do you do?
My Tooth Filling Fell Out - What Do I Do First?
First, you might try to decide on whether a loose or missing filling is a dental emergency, or not. While your the condition of your affected tooth isn’t a life-threatening emergency, it’s critical for you to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Here’s the key: Don’t schedule your appointment as if you’re scheduling a routine exam, or a treatment visit. Tell the receptionist that your filling has either loosened or fallen out of its position. You’ll be scheduled into the dental office under one of their emergency treatment slots.
Why is This Treated as an Emergency?
Why would your visit be treated as an emergency if your condition isn’t life-threatening? It’s mostly because the seal that prevented the inside of your tooth from becoming infected is now gone. What’s more, your dentist has previously drilled away portions of your tooth to make room for the filling material. Your filling also acts as strength reinforcement, and without it, your tooth could crack or crumble away.
Consider Bacterial Infections
One final reason why a damaged or missing filling is treated like a dental emergency is because of the high risk of bacterial infection. Since the inside of your teeth are now exposed, simple eating and drinking functions could set up conditions for nasty bacteria to enter into your gum’s blood vessels, causing you to need a root canal, or causing you to develop a sinus infection.
Looking for an Emergency Dentist Near You?
While it’s not the end of the world when your filling falls out, it is a condition that needs to be taken very seriously. If you think you need a dental exam, or would like to inquire more about this procedure, call Stellar Dentistry in Reynoldsburg, OH today and one of our helpful staff members will be happy to assist you.
