What to Do If You Have a Loose Filling

Dental fillings are common tooth restorations that often last up to 20 years, though sometimes they become damaged, loose, or worse (lost). The good news? There are a few simple steps you can take to protect the affected tooth until your appointment at Preva Dental. Here's the 411 on what to do after discovering a loose filling.

See Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, and her Preva Dental team in San Antonio, Texas, at the first sign of a loose, lost, or broken dental filling.

Dental fillings 101

Dental fillings at Preva Dental help fill in areas of your tooth that are damaged, have cavities, or become painful. Fillings repair imperfections after Dr. Rasamsetty cleans your tooth and removes any decay. 

She applies a discrete, tooth-colored filling to your tooth to strengthen it without pain, invasive treatments, or downtime. Dental fillings can last for decades, restoring and protecting treated teeth in the long term. 

Reasons dental fillings may become loose

While dental fillings are strong, durable, and long-lasting, they can become loose due to:

• Wear-and-tear over time
• Aging
• Biting down on tough objects
• Tooth decay around a filling
• Jaw clenching
• Teeth grinding
• Mouth trauma
• Injuries
• Poor oral hygiene habits

Not chewing on hard objects and wearing a mouthguard at night that protects your teeth from grinding reduces the risk of a loose dental filling. 

Five steps to take after discovering a loose dental filling

Consider the following tips after finding a loose dental filling:

1. Schedule an appointment with your dentist

Contact Preva Dental at the first sign of a loose, damaged, or lost dental filling. Dr. Rasamsetty can often see you the same day or the next day to repair or replace a filling. If your filling falls out and you still have it, bring the filling with you to your dental appointment. 

2. Keep the area clean

Continue brushing and flossing your teeth gently to keep the area clean; try gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash or water with salt. Avoid chewing with the affected tooth (especially on tough objects and sticky foods) until seeing Dr. Rasamsetty.

3. Reduce any discomfort

If the affected tooth is painful, apply a cold compress to the area or take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed by Dr. Rasamsetty. 

4. See your dentist for treatment

During a restorative dental visit, Dr. Rasamsetty examines your teeth and gums and takes dental X-rays when necessary. She can repair a loose or damaged filling or replace it after cleaning your tooth and removing any decay. She also offers dental crowns and veneers for more extensive tooth damage.

5. Avoid further damage

Avoid further damage by brushing your teeth after eating, flossing daily, wearing a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth, and not chewing on ice and other hard objects. Schedule routine dental cleanings and exams at Preva Dental every six months or as instructed by Dr. Rasamsetty. 

Do you have a loose or damaged dental filling? Don’t delay dental care. Schedule an evaluation today at Preva Dental by contacting us by phone or requesting an appointment online.