It usually happens while eating something sticky like a toffee or caramel. You feel a sudden crunch, and then a distinct hole in your tooth where a filling used to be. Panic sets in. You might be tempted to head to the kitchen drawer for a tube of Superglue to fix it back in. Stop right there.
As dentists, we have seen it all. And we can tell you from experience: DIY dentistry almost always leads to disaster. Here is why you should never glue a filling, and what you should do instead.
Why Superglue is Toxic
Household glues (cyanoacrylates) are not biocompatible. They contain toxins that are harmful if swallowed or absorbed into the gums. More importantly, they are toxic to the tooth pulp (nerve).
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If you glue a filling back in, the chemicals will likely kill the nerve of the tooth. This turns a simple £90 re-filling job into a £500 root canal treatment. Furthermore, the glue creates a seal that traps bacteria underneath the filling, leading to massive decay that you can't clean.
The Risks of an Open Hole
When a filling falls out, the sensitive dentine underneath is exposed. You may feel:
- Sharp pain when breathing cold air.
- Pain when drinking hot/cold fluids.
- Food packing into the gap, causing gum inflammation.
- Sharp edges cutting your tongue.
Safe Home Measures
If you can't get to us immediately (e.g., it's Sunday night), here is how to manage:
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Book an appointment with our team →- Keep it clean: Brush gently and rinse with warm salt water to keep food out of the hole.
- Temporary Filling Material: Most pharmacies sell temporary dental cement (like "Toofypegs" or "Dentemp"). This is a safe, putty-like material you can press into the hole to seal it for 48 hours.
- Sugar-Free Gum: In a pinch, a piece of sugar-free chewing gum can be placed over the hole to protect the tongue and stop food packing. Do NOT use sugary gum, as it will cause instant pain in the exposed nerve.
Professional Repair
When you come to see us, we will:
- Remove any temporary material you placed.
- Clean out any fresh decay that caused the filling to fail.
- Place a new, durable composite (white) filling.
A lost filling is a fixable problem, but time is of the essence. The longer the inner tooth is exposed, the higher the risk of nerve damage. Book a slot today.