I think I have broken a piece of a filling in my mouth – what should I do?
Unfortunately sometimes filling for whatever reason may fall out or become chipped or broken. There are may reasons for this including biting down suddenly on something hard such as a hard boiled sweet. Symptoms can vary from none at all to sensitivity to hot and cold or tenderness on chewing. A lost filling will always feel much bigger to the tongue. It is important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. However if you cannot immediately access a dentist here are some helpful tips:
- If you are having sensitivity try avoiding eating or drinking in the area, similarly if it is painful on biting.
- The use of toothpaste can help with the sensitivity by rubbing some fluoride toothpaste on the tooth in question.
- As a temporary measure until you visit your dentist you may try and get some oil of cloves or a temporary filling kit from your pharmacy. However it is important that you attend your dentist as soon as possible to get the tooth restored to normal function.
What do I do if a crown or bridge falls off?
Phone the practice. We will try to accommodate you as soon as possible. If the crown/bridge is intact, then it is normally straightforward to recement it into place. If it is damaged however the restoration may need to be remade.
What causes tooth erosion?
The following have been identified as causative factors for tooth erosion:
- Citrus fruits eaten more than twice a day
- Daily consumption of fizzy/soft drinks
- Drinking ‘sports drinks’ regularly
- Acid reflux
- Reduced saliva due to various medications
How soon should I start bringing my child to the dentist?
At Bridge View Dental we recommend that a child should be examined at around 4 years. However it is a good idea to bring your child with you while attending for your own regular examination appointment. This way he/she can observe the procedure while taking in the environment i.e the light/chair/smells and so on.