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How Can You Tell if a Filling Comes Loose?
Posted on 7/10/2018 by Crossroads Family Dental
Many people assume it's fairly easy to tell when a filling comes loose and falls out. While that's true if you feel it in your mouth and spit it out, that's not always what happens. Sometimes, fillings get accidentally swallowed.
Other times, they come loose, but don't completely fall out, leaving a space between them and the inner part of your tooth. How can you tell if a filling has come loose in this case? Here are a few signs to watch for.
You Suddenly Feel Pain
If you feel a sudden jolt of pain in a tooth you've had a filling in, it's a good indication that something is wrong with the filling. Usually you can tell when this happens and look in a mirror to confirm that the filling is gone.
You Feel Something Small and Hard in your Mouth
This usually happens when you're eating something and suddenly realize there's something else in your mouth. It can also happen when you're chewing gum and suddenly find the soft gum has a hard spot in it.
That's your filling. Don't worry if you swallow it—it's harmless to your stomach. The loss of the filling is much more damaging to your tooth.
You're Suddenly Sensitive to Cold or Hot Drinks and Foods
Without the filling there to protect the root of your tooth, you may suddenly be much more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drink. If you haven't had any issues like this before, it can be a sign the filling is gone.
You Feel a Hole in the Tooth
Does something feel off with the tooth when you touch it with your tongue? If that's the case, it can be a sign that the filling is loose or gone. If it's loose, you might be able to feel a crack or a bit of an indent.
When you experience any of these signs, call us as soon as you can. It's likely we need to schedule you for a new filling.
Many people assume it's fairly easy to tell when a filling comes loose and falls out. While that's true if you feel it in your mouth and spit it out, that's not always what happens. Sometimes, fillings get accidentally swallowed. 