Dentists fill millions of cavities every year – it’s an incredibly common procedure. The material used in fillings has evolved in the 6,500 years since people first filled cavities with beeswax, but even the sturdiest fillings may eventually break.
Common Reasons for a Broken Tooth Filling
- Teeth grinding
- Biting hard materials – think ice chips and peanut brittle
- Normal wear and tear over time
- Further decay in the affected tooth
- Cracks in the affected tooth
- Impact or injury to the affected area
- Temperature changes – following extremely hot beverages with extremely cold beverages
Why A Broken Filling Needs Treatment
It’s often the case that a broken filling doesn’t result in immediate pain. That’s good news! But when you hear that unexpected crack of a tooth filling, or suddenly have something floating around in your mouth other than your food, you need to call your dentist immediately, even if you aren’t experiencing immediate pain.
A broken filling is considered a dental emergency. If left untreated, it can cause major problems.
- Exposure to bacteria causing further tooth decay
- Weakening of the dental root
- Jaw infection that can spread to other body parts
Waiting for Broken Filling Treatment
Since a broken filling is considered a dental emergency, your dentist will certainly try to get you in as soon as possible. In the event the cracked filling is causing you sensitivity or pain, there are strategies and at-home remedies that can provide some relief while you wait for treatment.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
- Hold an ice pack to your face outside the affected tooth area.
- Rinse your mouth with a warm salt water mixture – ½ teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water. Do not swallow after rinsing.
- Place two drops of clove oil, a natural anesthetic, on a cotton swab and hold over the affected tooth.
How Do You Fix a Broken Filling?
Once the dentist can see you, they’ll start with a thorough evaluation, likely including an oral x-ray.
If the damage to the filling is minor and the tooth is otherwise in good repair, the dentist will remove the remaining parts of the filling, clean the tooth, and refill the cavity. This is a painless process that might be aided by local anesthesia that numbs the area while keeping you awake.
If the broken filling exposes the tooth pulp and nerve to air, your dentist may perform a root canal. This may also result in putting a cap or crown on a severely damaged tooth.
It is only in the most extreme cases that a tooth is damaged to the extent that it needs to be removed entirely.
Do you think you have a broken tooth filling and live in California? Find your closest Cal Select location now, whether or not you’re in pain. Get the emergency dental help you need before it becomes an even more serious health problem.