It usually is able to happen same-day, and it often painless or very little discomfort. However, did it bug you that you didn't know why it fell out in the first place? Here are a few of the most common reasons that fillings fall out.
Why Fillings Typically Fall Out
There are many reasons a filling could fall out. Here are the most common:| • | Bruxism is responsible for many lost fillings. When you grind or clench your teeth, you put a lot of pressure on a filling. |
| • | The filling simply got old. There is a shelf-life to fillings. The more you take care of your mouth, the longer that life is, but either way, they do eventually need to be replaced. |
| • | You chewed on something that was too hard, like ice, hard candy, or even a pen. |
| • | The specific type of filling material you chose was just too weak for where the filling went. |
| • | You simply chewed wrong. Even the most careful people bite down awkwardly now and again. If you do this over a filling, it can crack it loose to where it falls out. |
| • | Your filling had decay around it that came in later, leaving the filling no longer securely held in your tooth. |
It is not something unusual to have a filling come loose. All that you need to remember is to contact our office as soon as it happens, and go in and be seen. It's a simple fix that doesn't need to worry you.
