Why Do Dental Fillings Fall Out? Common Causes and Solutions

Teeth fillings are a well-known treatment to fill teeth that have been compromised by a cavity or a decay. Nevertheless, fillings are meant to last for many years and they might come off all of a sudden causing pain and other related issues. This is why it is important to know why this becomes a problem and how to avoid it in the first place to ensure you take care of your teeth properly. To this end, we will explore the leading causes of dental fillings to fall off and the possible treatment options available.

Common Causes of Dental Fillings Falling Out

1. Decay Around the Filling

The main cause behind the types of failures associated with dental fillings is continuous caries process around the filling itself. This is the reason why, even after getting a fillings on your teeth, the teeth can still be in danger to cavities. In case new decay forms around the edge of the filling, which may be below the gum line, lower bond strength means that the filling will come off the tooth structure. In as much as this is true, it is advisable to have dental check-ups so that this problem can be detected in its early state and prevented.

2. Improper Placement or Bonding

The fillings can also drop off if they were wrongly positioned or if the procedure that was followed in the process of bonding them was not effective. Some possible causes for a weak bond includes moisture which is present at the time of placement of the material, improper curing of the material or the use of inferior quality material. However, if a filling falls out shortly after it was done, one needs to visit the dentist again for checkup and filling.

3.Trauma or Injury

It is also common for fillings to get knocked off through an accident that may involve the head, face or mouth. Any pressure exerted on the teeth such as a punch in the mouth, biting an object with excessive force or even clenching and grinding during sleep (bruxism) puts pressure on a filling and it may crack or even fall off. Participants in contact sports are most at risk of such injuries given that they often engage in their sports without protection of their mouth and teeth.

4. Wear and Tear Over Time

However, all fillings lead to wearing out through normal chewing and grinding after sometime in the mouth. These are especially so where the fillings are many years old and, thus, potentially weaker than when first placed. Normally, even the filings wear out as they become brittle or change their shape making them to easily fall off. Further, behaviour such as teeth grinding (bruxism) puts excessive force on fillings and, therefore, may lead to failure.

5. Bad Habits

Some of the practices can cause extra load on the dental fillings. Tooth grinding and biting items such as pens, nails or using teeth as some sort of instruments puts pressure on the fillings. Further, habits as in teeth clenching or bruxism can also cause movement of fillings and undue force on these lead to their displacement.

Solutions and Preventive Measures

1. Regular Dental Check-ups

The best way of avoiding this from happening is to seek the services of a dentist regularly. Dentists will be able to check up on the health of your fillings and the surrounding structures of the tooth and determine early signs of decay or general wear before they become complications. Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to your teeth; you avoid very expensive procedures in the future.

2. Proper Oral Hygiene:

This means, one should practice very good hygiene especially in the mouth so that, more specifically, there is no build-up of the decay around the fillings done. Daily brushing with fluoride paste, flossing, and rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash also play a role of keeping your teeth and fillings strong.

3. Avoiding Hard and Sticky Foods:

Consuming less hard and sticky foods can reduce your risk of breaking fillings. Break the Ice Chewing/hard candy biting habit — especially protecting your dental work. Choose soft food, and take care with anything that could exert unnatural force on your fillings.

4. Choose the Right Filling Material:

Talk with your dentist about the type of fillings currently in use and their average durability whether they are amalgam, composite, ceramic or gold fillings. Certain materials such as dental amalgam are more resistant and hence preferred for use on the back teeth that take a lot of stress from chewing. No one should undergo dental treatment without knowing whether they are the best treatment options availed to him/her.

5. Early Intervention:

If you notice any signs that a filling might be failing, such as sensitivity, discomfort, or a change in how the filling feels, don’t hesitate to contact us. Early intervention can prevent further damage and reduce the likelihood of the filling falling out.

Conclusion