There's a specific panic that comes with feeling something hard unexpectedly come loose in your mouth mid-bite. Then comes the realization that it's your dental filling. Fortunately, while the feeling is quite alarming in the moment, it's among the most manageable dental emergencies you can encounter.
What to Do in the First Few Minutes
Your first steps when a filling falls out while you're eating should be to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and remove any loose debris, both from the filling itself and whatever food you were eating. This ensures that you don't accidentally swallow it or bite down on the filling material. Next, rinse gently with warm water to clean the area.
Once your mouth is clean, contact Dynamite Smile Dentistry as soon as possible. The exposed cavity in the tooth needs to be protected until it can be properly restored. In the meantime, though it's tempting, poke at the exposed tooth with your tongue as little as possible.
Protecting the Exposed Tooth
Once the filling material is out, the inner layer of your tooth is left exposed. This can make it significantly more sensitive than usual to temperature, air, and pressure. This is why Dr. Saba Heday recommends not chewing on that side of your mouth and steering clear of especially hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks until you get treatment.
Managing Discomfort Until Your Appointment
Some sensitivity or mild discomfort is normal with a lost filling. Over-the-counter pain medication and temporary dental cement can help in the short term, though neither is a substitute for professional treatment. An exposed tooth is more vulnerable to further decay and damage the longer it goes untreated. What is usually a simple, straightforward replacement today may become a real problem if bacteria and food particles reach the tooth's inner structure.
Timely Emergency Dental Care in Scottsdale, AZ
If you’re in Scottsdale and recently had a dental filling fall out, don’t wait to seek out professional care! Contact Dr. Saba Heday and the welcoming Dynamite Smile Dentistry team right away to confirm there's no additional damage or decay and get your tooth protected and restored.