Emergency Issue: 4 Steps to Take if You Lose a Dental Filling

Historically, dentists provided ‘silver’ fillings made of amalgam mixtures of metal, but today, most offer a more lifelike solution utilizing customizable, biocompatible composite resin instead.

Thankfully, contemporary restorations often last just as long as their metallic counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. They can eventually wear down and become destabilized or become dislodged if you sustain an injury. If you’ve had an emergency and lost a filling, read on to learn about 4 steps to take to get help as quickly as possible!

Step #1: Find the Filling

Depending on how old your restoration was and the condition it was in when it fell out, there’s a chance your dentist may be able to cement it back in its place. But they have to have it to be able to repurpose it, so do your best to locate your lost filling.

Then, rinse it gently with water and store it somewhere safe that you’ll remember to bring with you when you leave home to head to your dentist’s office when it’s time.

Step #2: Clean Your Mouth

Athletes and others who participate in close contact activities and team sports are more prone to sustaining injuries that can push a tooth or restoration out of place. If you’ve been hurt, you should rinse your mouth gently with water to remove blood, dirt, or other debris that can penetrate your exposed enamel and contribute to decay or disease.

You might even gargle with salt water to naturally disinfect your mouth. To make your own solution, mix about ½ teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of water and stir until it’s dissolved. Sip it and swish it around your mouth or gargle it near your throat, then spit it out into the sink. Repeat until your cup is empty.

Step #3: Address Discomfort

If you’ve bitten into something hard or sticky enough to yank your filling out of place or sustained an injury that dislodged it, you might also be feeling achy or inflamed as a result of the physical trauma.

It’s usually safe to take the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or apply an ice pack to the sore side of your face to provide relief long enough to make it to your dentist’s office.

Step #4: Contact Your Dentist

You might not think a lost filling is urgent, but the longer you wait to have it treated, the more likely the underlying tooth is to develop additional damage or decay. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to reach out to your emergency dentist and let them know what happened. Many offer same-day visits for so you don’t have to wait long for relief, and they might also provide additional care instructions to follow until you arrive, such as avoiding biting or chewing with the exposed tooth.

Then, after your provider examines your mouth, they can repair or replace your filling so you can continue using the affected tooth to eat, speak, and smile confidently!

About the Practice

Patients at Dental Expressions benefit from a husband-and-wife dental duo who are passionate about helping them build beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. Drs. Robert (Bob) and Heather Heil share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including same-day emergency appointments, to meet your unique needs. Their caring approach and clinical excellence are combined with advanced technology to deliver comfortable, accurate results meant to last. If you’ve lost a filling, you can request an appointment on the website or call (920) 788-6280.