ASK A DENTIST

My cavity filling fell out mid-chew. How do I eat and function with this before my next appointment?

This isn’t like a broken-tooth scenario, where your dentist would usually advise you to place temporary material in the space before you’re seen. Chances are, a misplaced cavity filling qualifies as an emergency scenario, in which case you should contact your dentist as soon as possible for next steps. In most cases, this will be considered an emergency visit unless it’s just a frontal cosmetic concern. Lost fillings are usually due to recurrent decay, and could lead to the need for root canal treatment if left untreated. We recommend you avoid chewing on the area where the filling fell out, call your dentist for further evaluation, and if there is pain or sensitivity, it is considered an emergency.

What are the repercussions if a child doesn’t have good oral health?

Oral health is very closely linked to overall health. Your mouth is a gateway to your body. You need your teeth to function properly so you can be nourished. You need them to smile. You need them to talk. And the baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth. They need to be maintained, and they need to be taken care of. When you have an infection in your mouth, even though it’s a very localised infection, if it’s not treated properly, it can still cause swelling outside of the mouth; it can lead to pain.

Who would be a good candidate for braces and for Invisalign?

A lot of it is dependent on what the patient feels would be the most successful for them. There are some people that look at Invisalign and say, “There’s no way I’ll remember to wear those trays,” and there are people who look at the braces and say, “I’m going to be in the school play this fall; I don’t want the braces on.” It really can go either way.

Are there any new preventative care methods for aging teeth?

Dental issues are not always related to aging. Patients develop different issues and diseases at different stages of life, and it’s essential for patients to follow up with their general dentists routinely and follow their recommendations. This will likely involve brushing and flossing regularly. It may also involve smoking cessation and following up with their physicians to make sure their systemic health is also in order because it may impact their dental health.

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