{"id":420,"date":"2022-10-13T20:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T20:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southridgedental.com\/blog\/?p=420"},"modified":"2022-11-05T20:14:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-05T20:14:34","slug":"handling-a-lost-dental-filling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southridgedental.com\/blog\/handling-a-lost-dental-filling\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Should Do If You Lose a Filling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When you get a filling<\/a> for one of your teeth, you might think the treatment will last forever. After all, it\u2019s not like the tooth\u2019s interior can get infected now, right? However, the truth is that you could eventually suffer a lost dental filling. Should that happen, you\u2019ll need to act quickly and carefully to handle the matter. Fortunately for you, your Denton dentist is here to help you out. Read on to learn four steps to take if you lose a dental filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Contact Your Emergency Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019d expect, you can\u2019t fully fix a lost filling yourself. (In fact, trying to do so is likely to worsen things.) Therefore, the first thing to do in this scenario is to call your emergency dentist. In particular, you\u2019ll want to ask them for the soonest possible appointment. Otherwise, have them instruct you on how to protect your exposed tooth from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more quickly you see your dentist for treatment, the better. A lost filling can result in more decay and damage if left alone. Plus, an earlier visit makes reattaching or replacing the filling more likely to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean the Affected Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because you\u2019ve lost your filling, its tooth is now vulnerable to outside forces. As such, please keep it clean until you can see your dentist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to clean the tooth is by gargling with salt water. Not only would this rinse dislodge food debris, but it would also remove harmful oral bacteria. As a side benefit, the process could even soothe lingering soreness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If necessary, you can also brush the tooth in question. However, make sure to do so gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Aggravate the Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without its filling, your tooth will be easier to damage than usual. Therefore, be careful not to aggravate your problem further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, try not to chew near the area of the exposed tooth. If you do, you\u2019ll likely experience more pain and risk the pearly white\u2019s structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To deal with discomfort from your tooth, feel free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect the Exposed Tooth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you refrain from eating, your newly-exposed tooth is at high risk of infection and decay. It\u2019d be a good idea, then, to protect it however you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an example, consider using a temporary filling material. Many pharmacies carry some made from dental wax or zinc oxide. Though it\u2019d be a short-term solution, this temporary filling could tide you until you get a proper replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, a lost dental filling is a real outcome you could face someday. By using the steps above, though, you\u2019d ensure your smile gets the fast fix it needs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ted Dunson II<\/a> is a dentist based in Denton, TX, having earned his DDS from the Baylor College of Dentistry. His specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency care. He is also a certified provider of traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. As such, you can trust him for almost any dental issue \u2014 including your lost fillings! Dr. Dunson currently practices at Southridge Dental<\/a> and is reachable on his website<\/a> or by phone at (940)-566-4942<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you get a filling for one of your teeth, you might think the treatment will last forever. After all, it\u2019s not like the tooth\u2019s interior can get infected now, right? However, the truth is that you could eventually suffer a lost dental filling. Should that happen, you\u2019ll need to act quickly and carefully to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Handle a Lost Dental Filling | Southridge Dental - Ted Dunson II<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you dealing with a lost dental filling? 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