{"id":327,"date":"2022-09-14T15:53:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/?p=327"},"modified":"2022-10-14T15:53:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T15:53:18","slug":"6-tips-for-handling-a-lost-dental-filling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/14\/6-tips-for-handling-a-lost-dental-filling\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips to Manage a Lost Filling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-328\" src=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Man in shock with hand on face\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shocked-2.jpg 1740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>If you&#8217;ve ever had a cavity, your dentist probably used a filling to treat it. The tried-and-proven method for tooth decay is designed to serve as a long-term solution; however, fillings don&#8217;t last forever. If you have a lost dental filling, don&#8217;t panic. Here are 6 things you should do at home until you can see your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/emergency-dentistry.html\">emergency dentist<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Causes of Lost Dental Fillings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On average, fillings last for about 10 years before needing to be replaced, but various factors affect their lifespan, like the material used. Many things can cause your fillings to fail, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>New decay<\/li><li>Hard or sticky foods<\/li><li>Damage to the filling<\/li><li>Chemical reaction<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter the reason, it&#8217;s not an issue you want to ignore, even if you&#8217;re not in any pain. Your tooth will be vulnerable to additional damage if you wait too long to see a dentist, like new decay, infections, or fractures. Although no one has time for a surprise dental appointment, don&#8217;t wait to contact your emergency dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing a Missing Filling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing a filling can be alarming, but you can get through the stressful day by following a few tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Contact Your Dentist<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing a filling is a dental emergency. If you&#8217;re not having any discomfort, you might be able to wait until their next availability; however, don&#8217;t avoid the dentist for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\"><li><strong>Save the Filling<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>After rinsing your mouth with water to clear away any debris, place your filling in a hard container with a lid. Bring it with you to the dentist in case they can reuse it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\"><li><strong>Watch What You Eat<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Your tooth will probably be sensitive, so avoid anything hot or cold. Don&#8217;t eat anything hard, chewy, or sticky. It&#8217;s best to eat softer foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\"><li><strong>Keep Your Mouth Clean<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow your regular brushing and flossing routine. Gargle with salt water to kill any bacteria left behind by your toothbrush. It will also reduce inflammation and pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"5\"><li><strong>Manage Any Discomfort&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Take an OTC pain reliever to manage your discomfort. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the face can numb the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"6\"><li><strong>Use a Temporary Solution<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Dental wax can be used to cover your tooth while waiting to see your dentist. Only use it as a temporary solution and not a permanent fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dentist will get you into the office quickly. After addressing any pain and examining your mouth, they provide the repair or replacement you need to get you on your way. Don&#8217;t let a minor issue turn into a big problem. Contact your dentist right away if you&#8217;ve lost a filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Dr. Anita Naik<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/our-team.html\">Dr. Naik<\/a> achieved her dental degree from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry and has completed advanced training in general dentistry. She offers state-of-the-art care to help each patient achieve their best smile. Voted &#8220;Best Dentist&#8221; for 2 consecutive years, you can feel confident your smile is in good hands. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/contact-us.html\">Contact our office<\/a> today to request your appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you&#8217;ve ever had a cavity, your dentist probably used a filling to treat it. The tried-and-proven method for tooth decay is designed to serve as a long-term solution; however, fillings don&#8217;t last forever. If you have a lost dental filling, don&#8217;t panic. Here are 6 things you should do at home until you can see your emergency dentist. <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/14\/6-tips-for-handling-a-lost-dental-filling\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-emergency-dentist"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>6 Tips for Handling a Lost Dental Filling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Follow 6 tips for a lost dental filling to safeguard your tooth until you can see your emergency dentist for treatment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/14\/6-tips-for-handling-a-lost-dental-filling\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"6 Tips for Handling a Lost Dental Filling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Follow 6 tips for a lost dental filling to safeguard your tooth until you can see your emergency dentist for treatment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/14\/6-tips-for-handling-a-lost-dental-filling\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Preston Bend Dental\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-14T15:53:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-10-14T15:53:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" 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