Temporary tooth filling

Your dentist may give you a temporary kingwood tooth filling texas for one of multiple reasons. If you’ve just had a root canal treatment, you may receive a temporary dental filling to protect the root canal site while the interior of the tooth is being treated with an antibiotic; your dentist will make sure any infection has cleared before placing your permanent filling. If you’re waiting for your custom-made permanent crown or gold filling to be crafted to protect a problem tooth, you may receive a temporary dental filling to shield the damaged tooth in the interim, preventing discomfort and further damage. Regardless of the reason for your temporary filling, it is essential to treat the filling and the teeth around it properly so that the filling maintains its integrity and protective purpose for its placement duration. The filling is designed to be temporary, so it is intended to be more easily removed than a traditional filling, meaning that you will need to treat it with extra care to prevent it from falling out prematurely.

You will receive specific aftercare instructions from your dentist. These instructions will vary, depending on the location and specific reason for your temporary filling. Still, there are some general rules that all patients are encouraged to follow. You will be instructed to avoid chewing with the tooth where the temporary filling is, and if at all possible, to avoid using that entire side of the mouth. In some cases, temporary fillings may need to last quite a long time -- a month or more. Of course, it can be easy to forget about the filling, but try to chew as gently as possible if you cannot avoid that side of the mouth entirely. Certain foods should be avoided until the permanent filling is placed, no matter what; these foods include extremely hard foods, like toffee and nuts, and sticky things like caramel and chewing gum, all of which can easily dislodge a temporary filling.

Additionally, be sure to brush your teeth with a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush, and brush all your teeth thoroughly while being careful to be gentle, especially in the area of the temporary filling. Brushing gently yet firmly and thoroughly is the recommended approach to brushing at all times, so it is a good habit to establish in general and to protect your temporary filling. You will need to take extra care while flossing near the temporary filling, which may dislodge if floss is lifted up and out from between the teeth. Especially when the temporary filling extends over the tooth's edges, it is helpful to pull the floss through your teeth from back to front, making sure that it isn’t caught or snagged on the edge of the temporary filling. This flossing technique is easy to practice when you focus on remembering to proceed with caution and overall care. Your temporary filling should comfortably protect your tooth with proper treatment and healthy habits until it is time to replace it with a permanent, sturdy filling.

More on Dental Fillings : Pain After Tooth Fillings