According to Healthline - Once you have a cavity filled, it doesn't mean that you can be careless about its maintenance. A filled tooth can become loose, especially if you don't maintain good dental hygiene and health.
Loose fillings can trigger pain again and make the tooth cavity again. In fact, it is not impossible for the condition to be worse than before it was patched.
Causes of loose dental fillings
Loose dental fillings can be caused by several things below:
1. A new hole forms under the filling
The dental filling process does not necessarily make the tooth immune to bacterial infection. When you do not maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria can grow and erode the tooth surface. Bacteria can also enter the area underneath the filling when the dental filling cracks.
Although cracks in dental fillings or in teeth are usually unnoticed and not visible to the eye, bacteria can still sneak in through these small gaps.
Over time, the hole that forms under the filling can enlarge and cause the filling to fall out.
2. Impact
When the face or mouth area is bumped in an accident or during sports, the tissues in the oral cavity can be damaged, including the teeth and fillings, tongue, and lips.
3. Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition when the teeth grind involuntarily. This condition usually occurs during sleep and over a long period of time, can erode the surface of the teeth, including fillings.
In severe conditions, bruxism can cause dental fillings to fall out, especially if the fillings are on the front teeth.
4. Consumption of hard food
Biting into hard foods can also damage the filling in the tooth and make it fall out of place. Typically, hard foods will first crack the filling and eventually fall out on their own.
5. Chemical reaction
Over time, the filling in the tooth can shrink, so that it no longer sticks well to the tooth hole and eventually falls out on its own. This shrinkage occurs due to a chemical reaction of the filling material.
What to do if a dental filling falls out?
Here are the steps you need to take when a dental filling falls out:
When the filling feels loose or even falls out, see your dentist immediately.
If the loose filling is still intact, you can store it in a sterile container, then bring it to the dentist. In some cases, these fillings can be reattached, but this is rare.
If it is a crown, take the loose crown to the dentist as they can re-cement it.
Gargle with salt water so that the exposed part of the tooth caused by the loose filling can be free from bacteria. You can also use an antibacterial mouthwash.
If there is blood when the filling falls out, try to stop the bleeding by pressing the bleeding area with a cotton swab. You can also rinse your mouth with ice water to stop it.
If there is pain, take a pain reliever, such as paracetamol, to temporarily relieve the pain until you can go to the dentist.
Avoid chewing on the part of the tooth that has a loose filling.
How to prevent a tooth filling from falling out
Dental fillings can last a long time if properly maintained. A good filling can even last for dozens or decades.
The problem is, it can be difficult to recognize damage to your fillings when they are still in the early stages. This damage is usually only recognized when it has become loose or broken, and triggers painful or uncomfortable symptoms.
Therefore, it is important for you to regularly check the condition of your teeth to the dentist at least once every six months. If the filling already looks damaged or eroded, the doctor will repair it so that the filling does not come loose or damage the tooth.
Apart from regular dental check-ups, there are a number of other ways you can prevent dental fillings from falling out. Some of these include:
Brushing your teeth regularly and cleaning between your teeth with dental floss.
Not eating foods that are too hard
When playing sports that may cause impact, use a dental protective device
Limit consumption of sticky foods, such as candy, gum, cookies, or other sweets
Increase consumption of healthy food and drinks.
Content created and supplied by: Sportyblitz (via Opera News )
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