Is a Loose Filling a Dental Emergency?

Dental fillings usually don’t last your lifetime. Instead, they may need to be replaced every decade or so. If you’re seeing your dentist regularly, they should tell you when it’s time to swap out the filling well before you have an issue.

Sometimes, though, a problem pops up unexpectedly. It might happen when you bite into something hard that dislodges the filling, or if you get accidentally knocked in the mouth. However it occurs, if you can feel your filling moving around, it’s time to take action. 

Dr. Sujay Trivedi and Dr. Michael Westcott offer same-day emergency dentistry visits so we can be available when you need us. While a loose filling isn’t technically a dental emergency, you should visit our team at Family Dental Care in West Palm Beach, Florida, as soon as you can. 

If your loose filling falls out, potential oral health problems grow. To prevent that from happening, it’s important to take swift action. 

Steps to take if your filling is loose

When you notice your filling is loose, call our team right away. Tell us that you have a loose filling so we can get you in to see our team promptly. And if you’re experiencing any discomfort because of your filling, let us know. 

During the wait for your appointment — which shouldn’t be long — keep your mouth clean and keep the filling in place. That means you should:

• Avoid the tooth with your toothbrush, but gently brush the surrounding area
• Continue flossing
• Chew on the other side of your mouth
• Buy some dental wax to put over the filling to help hold it in place
• Avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods
• Gargle with salt water to keep your mouth clean

To make the salt water rinse, mix half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Gargle gently to avoid dislodging the filling further. 

If your filling does fall out, try to locate it. If you find the filling, bring it with you to your appointment. We may potentially be able to reuse it. 

When filling issues become a dental emergency

A loose filling doesn’t constitute a dental emergency on its own. But if it’s paired with other issues, contact us for emergency care. Signs you should get this kind of attention include:

• Oral pain in the area
• Bleeding that you can’t stop
• Swelling around the tooth

If you’re in pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. You may also want to get an oral pain relief gel to apply to the area. Alternatively, clove oil can help to ease discomfort and minimize inflammation. 

Whether you just have a loose filling or a loose filling that’s causing other problems, we’re here to correct the issue. For the fast dental attention you need, call our Family Dental Care team at 561-556-1698 today, or schedule an appointment online at your convenience.