Lost a Filling? No Worries, You Can Use These Tips to Feel Better Whilst En Route to Your Dentist!

Dentist Blog

If you lose a filling, it's important to get to your after hours dentist as quickly as possible. However, you may not always be able to reach your dentist's office straight away. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to alleviate pain and discomfort whilst en route to your after hours dentist. Read on to find out what to do. 

Get Fast Pain Relief

When you lose a filling, you may experience some significant discomfort or even serious pain. You can take an over the counter pain reliever like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin to alleviate this pain, using the directions on the packet. Never place aspirin or other pain relievers in the mouth to let them dissolve on the tooth. This doesn't speed up pain relief, and it can actually cause a chemical burn on your gums. 

For topical pain relief, you can purchase clove oil at your local chemist. Clove oil can deliver fast relief when applied directly to the tooth with the lost filling. It's best to use a clean cotton swab rather than your fingers to apply the clove oil. Whilst none of these pain relievers are a long term solution, they can help you feel better whilst you're on the way to your after hours dentist. 

Create a Temporary Filling 

In the area vacated by your filling, you'll have a hole -- and it needs to be protected as soon as possible. Whilst you can't create a long term replacement, you can create an emergency filling for the short term. Your chemist sells dental cement that you can use to fill in the hole temporarily. However, there's an even easier temporary fix available: sugar free gum.

Simply chew a piece of sugar free gum lightly until its easily pliable. Gently place the gum over the hole to protect the cavity. Remember, it's especially important that the gum is sugar free. Gum that contains sugar is likely to cause considerable pain in the cavity, so avoid it at all costs.

Preserving Your Filling

In the event that your filling has been knocked completely out of your mouth, it's probably dirty and may have dangerous bacteria on it. Don't try to re-insert the filling in this case, but instead drop it into a glass full of water for transport to your after hours dentist. The filling may be saved and re-inserted by the dentist in some cases, however it may be damaged and require replacement. 

If you lose a filling and need some emergency tips whilst you're en route to the dentist's office, put the above guidelines into practise. You'll feel more comfortable and more confident until you're able to get the care you need. 

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3 January 2018

Dental Care and Seniors: Helping to Maintain Your Smile

As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.