Every so often, a patient’s filling may fall out. While undesirable, this sometimes occurs, and there is no need to fret. Here at Stiles Dental Care, we will repair or replace your filling, providing you the protection you require.
There are a number of reasons why a filling may:
- Come loose
- Crack
- Crumble
- Fall Out
Many fillings last several years, even a lifetime, but others don’t make it, and we can tend to the tooth in question before it deteriorates further. If your filling comes out, be concerned, but don’t dwell on it. Simply contact Stiles Dental Care and we’ll fix the issue.
Below you will find some of the most common reasons a filling may fall out. Some causes are somewhat preventable, so do all you can to preserve your existing fillings.
Once My Cavity Is Filled, Can the Tooth Further Decay?
A filling will protect the tooth in the state it is in when the filling is placed. That said, this does not mean that your tooth will be free of further decay or damage down the road. Just like your other teeth, it is susceptible to decay, even with a filling in place.
If your tooth becomes decayed after you receive a filling, this can compromise the existing filling, perhaps causing it to come out.
If this is the case, we will be able to recognize the signs of new decay based on your history chart from the last time you saw us, with X-rays to refer to. We can repair the tooth in its current state, refilling it for future protection. We will keep tabs on this tooth in case you require a crown rather than a filling. A crown covers the entire tooth, rather than filling in a hole as a filling does.
Be proactive and do what you can to prevent tooth decay by:
- Brushing at least 2 times per day
- Flossing regularly
- Eating healthfully – avoid sugary foods and beverages
- Seeing your dentist for your twice-yearly general checkups and professional cleanings
If I Bite Into Something Hard or Chewy, Can This Make My Filling Come Loose?
Fillings can withstand a lot, but there is always the chance that biting into something hard or especially chewy can cause a filling to pop out. One wrong crunch or a super sticky candy can be the cause of your filling falling out.
Be careful when you enjoy foods that are particularly hard on the teeth. Chew carefully and slowly, or avoid such foods altogether. Some common culprits include:
- Nuts
- Candy bars
- Caramel
- Toffee
- Jerky/beef sticks
- Hard pretzels
- Chewing ice cubes
Needless to say, avoid chewing on non-food items like pen caps, and don’t use your teeth as “tools” to open things.
I Tend to Clench My Jaw and Grind My Teeth. Can This Cause My Fillings to Fall Out?
Your habit of clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth (bruxism) can cause your filling to fall out. It can also wear down your teeth in the process, cause jaw pain, tightness, and stiffness, and so on. Perhaps you are not even aware of your clenching and grinding, doing it while you are asleep, or absentmindedly.
If you do happen to know that you clench or grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to protect them. Eventually, this can help you break the habit. As strong and durable as fillings are, the daily clenching and grinding may eventually take their toll.
Other Reasons Your Dental Filling May Fall Out
- Age – your filling may be old and finally wear out. Older-style metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored fillings, made with a composite resin that looks like your natural tooth. We use this type at our office, with aesthetically-pleasing results.
- Trauma – you may have been involved in an accident or incident that affected your mouth or teeth. This can cause a filling to fall out.
- The original filling did not set properly. The adhesive or bonding may have been applied incorrectly or insufficiently, not allowing the filling to hold in place as it ought to.
If your filling has fallen out, either partially or completely, please contact us as soon as possible. Your tooth will be exposed to further decay or compromise without the filling protecting it. Plus, your tooth can crack or fall out once the filling has come loose.
Also, if you are experiencing pain, see or feel something wrong with your tooth, or believe you have developed a cavity, contact us to be seen at your earliest convenience.
Please call us at (609) 546-3219 to make an appointment or fill out this brief online form to schedule an appointment. Someone from our friendly receptionist staff will contact you upon receiving the form and get you in swiftly.
We look forward to seeing you, helping you with your filling, and sending you off repaired and renewed!
