If you have a cavity, your dentist will remove the decay and clean out the affected area to prevent further deterioration. To keep the tooth strong and free from further damage, he or she will then fill it with a filling.

Eventually, your fillings will wear out and need to be replaced, but you can help them last longer by practicing good dental hygiene. That means brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day and seeing your dentist for regular checkups.

One of the most common reasons why a filling falls out is because it is not properly bonded to your teeth. This can happen when a new chemical reaction occurs in the filling or when your dentist did not thoroughly evaluate your bite during the procedure.

It can also occur due to physical forces that knock or dislodge the filling from its place in the tooth. Examples include chewing hard foods, biting into crunchy or brittle food like nutsshells and ice, clenching or grinding your teeth while sleeping, and trauma to the tooth or root.

A lost filling can be a mild to moderate emergency, so you should seek immediate treatment at your dentist’s office as soon as possible. This includes if you experience pain, increased sensitivity, or bleeding in the affected area.