Loose fillings are typically uncomfortable and hard to ignore. If left untreated, it can also lead to more serious dental problems.
Dealing with a loose filling can catch anyone off guard.
But, by reading on, you’ll gain insights into the signs of a loose or cracked dental filling and understand why prompt action is essential for your oral health.
Since prompt action is important, let’s get started.
Understanding a Loose Filling
Dental fillings are typically made from materials like amalgam or composite resin and they are used to restore teeth to normal function when teeth get damaged.
Unfortunately, these dental bonds can wear out over time or loosen, which breaks the seal between the tooth and the filling.
This breakdown compromises the tooth structure that was restored by the filling. In essence—it opens up space for bacteria to enter the tooth’s root and cause decay.
The causes of a loose filling range from wear and tear over time (like teeth clenching or teeth grinding), trauma to the tooth, or even changes in temperature causing expansion and contraction of different materials within your mouth.
Loose Tooth Filling Symptoms
Identifying the symptoms of a loose dental filling is critical for your oral health.
One of the most telltale signs is pain. Like a broken tooth, a loose or missing filling might expose your tooth dentin, triggering sharp pain during meals or when inhaling cold air through the mouth.
It might range from severe to mild, but tooth pain should be looked at.
Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli can also indicate a compromised filling.
Another common sign is an unusual sensation when biting down—as if there’s a foreign object in your mouth. This feeling might come and go, or persist, but it indicates that the filling isn’t secure.
While the composite filling is more popular, a dental amalgam filling might give off a metallic taste in your mouth if it has become dislodged.
It’s important to recognize these signs early because they can lead to more serious dental issues if left unaddressed, like a severely decayed tooth and root canal treatment.
Not sure what’s going on with your tooth? Give us a call at Village Dental, we have 2 locations: Claycomo & North Kansas City.
What Does A Loose Filling Feel Like?
If you’ve ever bitten into something and felt that telltale wiggle of a loose filling, it’s clear as day that your next step should be to see a dentist.
Imagine biting into an apple and feeling something just not quite right, like a tiny stone or piece of grit caught between your teeth.
This could be the first telltale sign that a dental filling is no longer snugly in place. It might also indicate a new cavity is beginning in the tooth underneath the filling.
You may also feel something off about your tooth, like the shape doesn’t feel right on your tongue, or food is getting caught in it more easily.
Of course, some composite fillings fall out. If this is the case, you’ll feel a hole or sharp indentation which indicates you need a new one.
These weird sensations, and the feeling like there’s a foreign object in your mouth, are signs of a damaged filling.
If any of this sounds like you, then you’ll want to call your dentist to put in a new filling.
Managing and Identifying Filling Pain
When a dental filling becomes loose, pain may be sharp when biting down or persistent and throbbing.
It’s crucial to address the issue swiftly as exposed nerves and bacteria entry could lead to further complications.
You can act fast to treat this pain.
Avoid chewing on the affected tooth and consuming either hot or cold food and drinks as they might aggravate the damaged tooth.
Over-the-counter analgesics and pain medicine might help ease your discomfort.
Ultimately, scheduling an appointment with your dentist is essential for proper care.
At Village Dental, we understand that managing this pain before treatment is critical for comfort.
Call us today if you think you need a filling repair.
Loose Filling Repair: When to Seek Dental Intervention
You might recognize the signs of a loose dental filling. But when do you need emergency dental care?
Not every dental discomfort means you need immediate care.
Here are the signs when it’s time for fast intervention.
- A persistent and significant change in bite sensation
- Pain when chewing
- If hot or cold temperatures cause you to wince from pain
- Consistent pain that is in your mouth and jaw
- You’re unable to chew on one side of your mouth
Most loose fillings need professional care before tooth decay sets in and you need a root canal.
Our team prioritizes emergency dental care and restoring oral health promptly because we know unaddressed issues often escalate into more significant concerns like infections or tooth loss.
Read here for a complete guide to composite dental fillings.
Let’s Recap: The Complete Guide to Loose Dental Fillings
A loose filling is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a call to action for your dental health.
Once that seal is broken, bacteria will begin to cause a new cavity.
Loose dental fillings need quick action.
Remember, ignoring the signs can cause bigger dental woes down the road. Tooth pain is a red flag; don’t shrug it off.
And if you have an aging mouth, you’re more likely to have a loose filling.
That’s why we’re here at Village Dental. Ready to save your tooth, eliminate the pain, and help you to maintain great oral health.
Give us a call to schedule, today.
FAQs in Relation to Loose Filling
How long will a loose filling last?
A loose filling won’t last indefinitely; its lifespan depends on factors like the extent of dislodgement and daily oral activities. It’s not something that will fix itself, so prompt dental care is key.
Can you fix a loose filling at home?
Attempting a DIY repair for a loose filling might seem tempting, but it’s important to understand that at-home fixes are temporary solutions at best. Dental adhesives found in pharmacies may offer brief relief, yet they cannot substitute professional treatment which addresses underlying issues.
Is a loose filling an emergency?
Treat it urgently. It’s not 911 stuff but get to the dentist pronto to minimize the pain and further damage. If there are signs of infection like fever or significant swelling, seek immediate dental attention from Village Dental.
