Fillings can become damaged for a number of reasons, trauma from an injury or from biting something hard is a common one. But it's important not to panic when they finally do come loose, as they are not meant to last forever. Good dental hygiene and habits can prolong their effectiveness, but after a number of years, they usually need to be replaced. If you've noticed your tooth becoming loose, the first thing to do is to contact your Berkeley, CA, specialists of North Berkeley Dental Arts, Dr. Vincent Lim, Dr. Allan Sio, and Dr. Philip Vassilopoulos.

What You Can Do

If you notice movement in your dental filling then it is absolutely loose. But it may not always be as easy to notice if your filling is in trouble. Another way to know is if you are experiencing sensitivity to cold or hot foods and liquids where you had none before. Or perhaps even pain. A loose filling is not always an emergency, but it should be examined by your dentist as quickly as possible. In the meantime what's important is to keep your teeth as clean as possible. If it's painful to brush that area you can rinse your mouth with a mixture of saltwater or mouthwash.

Why It's So Important

The role of a dental filling is to protect a tooth damaged by decay. When first applying it, your dentist removes all the affected tooth structure and replaces it with the filling material. Your tooth has an outer layer of enamel that typically protects it, but after enduring decay, a dental filling takes over its role, and the reason is that the underlying layer--called dentin--is not as capable at repelling decay. So, if untreated, a loose filling compromises the health of your tooth. Left long enough your tooth may become extremely painful and could need a root canal to save it.

Emergency Dentistry in Berkeley, CA

Good dental hygiene can help your fillings last longer, but it's not enough to prevent them from having to be replaced eventually. This is why regular checkups are so very important, to keep track of every one of your dental concerns. So if you are experiencing any extra sensitivity or pain, be sure to let your dentist know during these visits.

Don't go too long from coming into the office, schedule a visit today with Dr. Lim, Dr. Sio, and Dr. Vassilopoulos of North Berkeley Dental Arts in Berkeley, CA, by dialing (510) 526-1757.