People nowadays no longer have to worry about their teeth having cavities, fractures, or being weak. An emergency dentist treats your teeth problems through crowns and fillings. But as time goes by, these crowns and filling tend to fall out. So, the question is, is it considered a dental emergency when you lose your crown or fillings?
In typical scenarios, you do not have to seek emergency dental care when you lose your crown or fillings. While you might feel discomfort and a bit of pain, it is not enough reason to come in immediately for an emergency appointment—you can wait for a free spot in your and your dentist’s schedule.
But if you are experiencing severe pains that do not respond to pain relievers, trouble moving your jaw or opening your mouth, swelling of the jaw, or fever, seek urgent dental care as these can be symptoms of a severe tooth infection.
Read on to know what causes the teeth crowns and filling to fall out and some pieces of advice to do while waiting for your dental appointment.
What Causes Teeth and Crowns To Fall Out?
Crowns and fillings falling out is inevitable, especially if they were applied to your problematic teeth a long time ago. They will naturally degrade and should be replaced after ten years or so.
Other reasons that may cause your teeth crowns and fillings to fall out are the following:
- Advanced tooth decay
- Teeth or mouth injuries
- Eating sticky or hard foods like chewing gum
- A habit of grinding your teeth
Things To Do While Waiting For Dental Appointment
When you lose your tooth crown or filling, you do not have to seek urgent dental help, and instead, you should book an appointment during regular office hours. Here are some of the things you can do while waiting for your dental schedule:
1. Save the Crown or Filling
If your crown or filling falls out, consider rinsing it thoroughly with water and store it in a safe place.
Keep your crown or filling with you while waiting for your appointment since the dentist may be able to put it back on your tooth. This way, you may save some expenses and time since you will not need to wait for a new crown to be fabricated.
2. Protect the Damaged Tooth
It is essential to protect your tooth from accumulating bacteria as it may worsen the damage or lead to life-threatening infections. You can save your teeth if you abstain from eating hard, sweet, or sticky foods that further damage or attract bacteria.
It is also important to brush your teeth after every meal and use dental floss to remove food particles that will build up bacteria.
3. Treat the Pain
It is not unusual to feel pain after you lose your crowns and fillings. The reason is that the nerves from the inside of the tooth are suddenly exposed. A pain reliever should ease away this pain. If the pain remains still and becomes severe, you need to go in for emergency dental care.
Final Thoughts
Although losing a filling or crown is not a dental emergency, it is essential to consult your dentist about this matter, as exposure of the affected area may cause bacteria to build up. In case of a suspected tooth infection, schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
If you lost a crown or filling and you need the help of an emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC, call us at Dr. Thomas E. Cooke Family Dentistry right away. We provide a full range of dental services, including handling problems with dental crowns, dental implants, and tooth fillings.
