Causes of dental fillings falling out and prevention

 Lost fillings are a common reason for dentist visits. There are numerous possible causes, including aging, poor dental hygiene, teeth rubbing, and biting something hard or sticky. When a filling falls out, you should see a dentist as soon as possible because an unfilled tooth is vulnerable to the damaging effects of bacteria and irritants.

 

A filling is a dental filling used to repair a tooth defect. Its function is to protect the tooth tissues from infection, difficult-to-remove food residues, the effects of cold or heat on sensitive tissues, and the aesthetic appearance of the tooth in which caries has appeared. It should be remembered that no seal lasts forever and that it eventually falls out.

 

Why did the seal fall out?

• biting hard things - biting very sticky or hard foods, such as a nut, or objects can damage the tooth and filling,
• tooth or tooth root injury ,
• failure to comply with the recommendations after filling , e.g. regarding breaks from eating and drinking,
• development of caries around the filling  - weakens the bonding of the filling with the tooth tissue,
• dental plaque  (improper dental hygiene) - can separate the filling from the dental tissue,
• bruxism - frequent grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw - over time, it causes abrasion not only of the tooth, but also of the filling, 
• passing time - the longer we have a seal, the greater the likelihood that it may fall out,
• malocclusion .

It should be remembered that fillings (regardless of the quality of the material used to make them) serve us every day, so it is not surprising that their durability deteriorates and they fall out over time.

 

Are some people more at risk of fillings falling out?

Finnish scientists discovered that metalloproteinases may be responsible for the loss of fillings. These enzymes are part of all human tissues, including dentine, and can cause the seal to lose up to 50% of its strength after a year. Scientists recommend using preparations with chlorhexidine, an ingredient found in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

 

The seal fell out What to do?

When a filling falls out, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to fill the cavity and protect the exposed tooth tissues from infection and irritation. Even if the tooth does not hurt, an appointment should be made as soon as possible.

 

We can buy a temporary filling at the pharmacy to protect the tooth against bacteria and other harmful factors for up to a month. This is not a long-term solution, so we should contact our doctor as soon as possible.

 

How to prevent a filling from falling out?

There are ways to make the filling stick to our teeth longer. You should take care of it after leaving the dentist . Here are some basic rules:

• brush your teeth very gently for 24 hours after the procedure ,
• do not consume alcohol or cigarettes for 24 hours after the filling is placed ,
• give up hard snacks,
• avoid sweets that easily stick to the teeth, e.g. chewy candies such as fudge or chocolate bars.

In addition, you should take care of proper oral hygiene and a proper diet (rich in calcium, fluoride and vitamin D ), but these rules should be followed by everyone, not just the owner of fresh fillings.