My Filling Fell Out! How Long Can I Wait? Our Cincinnati Dentist Answers Your Questions

Did your filling fall out? It’s a common issue, but it does need attention. Sometimes you bite down too hard, and an old filling breaks and comes out. Anyone who’s had an old filling come loose will tell you it’s more of an inconvenience than anything. If your filling fell out and it doesn’t hurt, you’re likely wondering how long you can wait before seeing an emergency dentist in Cincinnati.

Our answer is: Even if it doesn’t hurt, come see us at Beckham Square Family Dental to get your broken filling repaired as soon as possible.

What if your filling falls out, and it hurts? Call us immediately, and let us know that the tooth with the missing filling is causing you pain. A severe toothache after a filling breaks and comes out may indicate the nerve is exposed. Not only is that painful for you, but it could also leave your nerve vulnerable to bacterial infection and food debris.

We often see patients who delay care when losing a filling doesn’t hurt. However, the last thing you want is for that tooth to lose its filling, become infected, or continue to decay. We can schedule you for an emergency dental appointment — likely the same day! We keep a few slots open for dental emergencies. Your care is a priority and important to us.

In Pain after Your Filling Fell Out? What to Do While You Wait to See Us

If you are in pain after your filling fell out, you can find effective, natural relief at home while you wait to see an emergency dentist. To relieve pain and protect the exposed tooth, try the following:

• Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen.
• Apply a cold compress or an ice pack for 15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
• Apply clove oil to the tooth and gum to relieve pain. You can find clove oil at the drugstore or in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. A whole clove will also do the trick.
• Apply a topical numbing agent, like Anbesol or Orajel, to temporarily numb the tooth and gums.
• Swish with lukewarm saltwater every few hours to clean the area and ease pain.

Can Your Broken Filling be Repaired, or Will You Need a Replacement Filling?

If you recently got a filling, we can probably redo it for free at a reduced rate. This depends on how old the filling is. It also depends on whether we originally recommended a crown, but you opted for a less durable filling due to cost concerns.

Different cases of broken fillings require different solutions. For minimal damage to a dislodged filling you managed to save, we’ll likely refill it. If the exposed area has incurred more decay or infection, we might recommend a more advanced treatment, such as a root canal. We might also recommend a crown for better coverage, especially if you’ve had that filling break out or fall out more than once.

Fillings do fall out. They aren’t meant to last forever. If it’s a new filling, we can work with you, though a more comprehensive covering, such as a crown, might be best. Either way, you’re in good hands with our compassionate, experienced professionals.

Keep a Simple Broken Filling from Becoming a Complex Problem

Even if you’re not in pain, call us anyway. If your tooth feels fine, it’s not an immediate dental emergency, but it still needs attention within a few days. The tooth beneath the filling is now exposed and will continue to decay. You might need a root canal if the damage beneath the lost filling is extensive. If left to degrade long enough, your tooth could be prone to fracture. Then you’ll need a tooth extraction and perhaps a dental implant, which can be expensive. That’s why you should get a missing filling taken care of right away.

At Beckham Square Family Dental, we see patients with lost fillings every day. When you call us to report your lost filling, the first thing we’ll ask you is, “Are you in pain?” In some cases, you won’t feel a thing, especially if you’ve already had a root canal on that tooth. But occasionally, you may experience tooth crown pain. We’ll try to get you treated right away, but in the meantime, no worries – now you’ve got some at-home solutions to try.