Dentists hear it all the time: “My dental filling fell out!” Sometimes it’s because the tooth wasn’t properly prepared for the filling and sealed. Other times, there’s just too much stress on the tooth from chewing hard food or clenching your jaw.
Dental fillings can fall out for a number of reasons. Here are three of the most common ones: lack of proper oral hygiene, incorrect placement of dental hygiene, and trauma.
- Cavities Are Caused By Bacteria That Eat Away At The Enamel Of Your Teeth
One of the most common reasons dental fillings fall out is a lack of proper oral hygiene. If plaque and calculus (tartar) are not removed on a regular basis, they will accumulate around the margins of the filling and eventually loosen it. It will eventually start to damage the gums and bones around the teeth. The enamel on the teeth will also start to wear away, creating microscopic holes. These holes allow food particles and bacteria to get into the tooth’s dentin layer, which causes infection and inflammation. The infection and inflammation can eventually lead to tooth decay and/or loss. Over time, this can cause dental fillings to fall out.
To keep your teeth healthy and help prevent dental fillings from falling out, be sure to brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and see your dentist for regular checkups.
- Filling Coming Out Because of Bad Habits
Bad habits like biting your nails or chewing on pens can be the reasons dental fillings may fall out. Biting or chewing on something hard can put stress on the tooth and the filling, eventually causing it to come out.
If you clench or grind your teeth (bruxism), you are also putting a lot of extra stress on them. If you think you may be clenching or grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard to wear at night.
- Trauma
Fillings can come loose or fall out if you bite into something hard, such as a piece of candy or ice, or if you clench your teeth together too hard. Dental trauma can also happen when you are hit in the mouth or fall down.
If you have a loose filling, it’s important to see your dentist right away, as the tooth may be damaged. If the filling falls out, save it and bring it with you to your appointment. Your dentist will clean the tooth and put the filling back in place. Sometimes, the tooth may need to be repaired with a crown.
What Will Happen if I Don’t Repair My Missing Filling?
If you fail to visit your dentist when your filling falls out, more dental problems will occur. For one, the exposed tooth structure will be more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. If you have a missing filling on a back tooth (molar), chewing may also become more difficult. The tooth could become infected, which could lead to pain and even tooth loss.
You should see your dentist right away if you’re having this situation. Your tooth may be damaged and need to be repaired. Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist may recommend replacing the filling, repairing the tooth with a crown, or in some cases, extracting the tooth. If you have a dental filling that falls out, don’t wait to see your dentist. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done to your tooth. Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Are There Different Types of Fillings?
There are all sorts of fillings out there, but the most popular types are dental amalgam, composite resin, and glass ionomer.
Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, and tin that is used to fill cavities in teeth. While it is durable and long-lasting, some people are concerned about the potential health risks associated with its use. Amalgam has been in the dentistry world for 150 years. It is strong and durable, and it can last many years. Amalgam fillings are less likely to break than other types of fillings.
Some people have concerns about the use of amalgam due to the presence of mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal. It can cause health problems if swallowed or inhaled. Dentists take measures to protect their patients and themselves from exposure to mercury vapors when they use amalgam fillings.
Composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic filling material. It is made of small particles of glass or quartz mixed with a resin (a type of plastic) and molded into a shape.
Composite resin fillings are used to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay. They can also be used to improve the appearance of stained teeth, chipped, or worn. Composite resin fillings are bonded to the teeth and can last for many years if properly cared for.
Glass ionomer filling is a type of tooth filling that is created with a mixture of glass and plastic polymers. The plastic polymers create a durable material that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use, while the glass component helps to harden the material and make it more resistant to decay.
This type of filling is a good choice for people who have allergies to other types of dental fillings, such as silver amalgam or composite resin. It is also a good choice for people who have sensitive teeth. Glass ionomer fillings are not as strong as other types of fillings, so they are not recommended for use in areas of the mouth that are subjected to a lot of stress, such as the molars.
Dental fillings are designed to be a long-term solution for teeth that have been damaged by decay. However, there are several reasons why they may fall out prematurely. If your dental filling falls out, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. By understanding the reasons why dental fillings fall out, you can help prevent this from happening in the future. Schedule your appointment at River District Smiles Dentistry today!
