Fillings are comprised of different materials than our teeth. Sometimes you might bite down wrong and break or crack your filling. You may not notice or feel it happen as you bite down. Some people feel a hard piece of their filling in their mouth and spit it out to discover that they’ve broken or cracked a filling.
Is a Cracked Filling a Dental Emergency?
While a cracked or broken dental filling isn’t pleasant, it’s also not considered to be an emergency. However, it’s important that you seek treatment for your cracked or broken dental filling as soon as possible to prevent infection. The tooth could begin to decay beneath the filling; the injury could also spread and cause other dental issues if you don’t seek prompt medical attention for your teeth.
If you are in severe pain, you should call your dentist as soon as possible to ensure your tooth isn’t damaged. Left untreated, dental issues such as a cracked or broken filling may impact your oral health. They may cause severe pain or lead to an unresolved infection that could cause other health issues.
Your dentist is the best person to evaluate a broken or cracked filling. If you’re not feeling any pain, call your dentist to schedule an appointment. If you’re feeling pain, it’s important to call your dentist and ask for an emergency appointment so that you don’t further damage your tooth or lose your tooth altogether.
Dental emergencies are dental issues that involve facial bone, bone trauma, excessive bleeding, a knocked-out tooth, broken tooth, infection, or abscessed teeth. True dental emergencies can lead to tooth loss, further infection, and excruciating pain. When something happens like this, it’s important to call your dentist right away and ask for an emergency appointment. Explain what is going on to the dentist and make sure that they know how much pain you’re in.
Many foods can contribute to a cracked or broken filling. While your tooth is damaged, avoiding using it whenever possible is important. Chew on your other side and avoid foods that could further damage your teeth, such as hard nuts or other hard foods. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a food should be eaten, it’s wise to avoid it.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution and call your dentist if you have any questions or concerns regarding your dental fillings or other issues with your teeth.