As a general rule, do-it-yourself dentistry is a bad idea. That’s not to say that home remedies are always bad ideas. There are some good home remedy options for minor toothaches, for example. But when it comes to broken teeth or teeth extractions, you’re well-advised to leave dentistry to the pros.
What about a when a filling falls out unexpectedly, and an emergency dentist just isn’t available in the short term? Maybe because you’re travelling or otherwise out of contact. In a case like that, is DIY dentistry ever a good call? Should you rely on an emergency dental filling kit that you can purchase at many drug stores?
Ok. You got us. If you suddenly lose a filling and you can not get to an emergency dentist in really short order, an emergency dental filling kit may be an appropriate short-term fix. It should really be a last resort, however, and a very temporary fix. After all there’s a very good reason that your tooth was filled in the first place. Tooth decay destroyed a chunk of tooth matter and left a hole that needed to be filled. Or removing tooth decay left behind a hole that left your tooth vulnerable and unsupported until it was filled. Now, without your cavity, that hole is just waiting to be filled with bacteria to penetrate into your tooth and may even leave roots exposed.
So, all of that cuts two ways. On one hand, the vulnerability of your tooth is such that you should seal it up temporarily as quickly as you can. On the other hand, you may seal up bacteria and debris into that hole while doing so, and speed up the process of further decay. After all, when you show up to a dentist near you with a cavity, filling that cavity isn’t their first step. It’s cleaning the tooth to eliminate any chance of feeding ongoing tooth decay.
In a pinch, and when in doubt, use an over-the-counter emergency dental filling kit to replace a lost filling, but contact an emergency dentist in Edmonton as soon as possible to have it replaced with a permanent solution.
Over the counter dental filling kits
Kits for creating a temporary dental filling near you contain an amalgam mixture similar to the one that your dentist would use. Without the specialized equipment and materials your dentist in Edmonton will have readily at hand, you won’t be able to mix and form the materials as precisely. For that reason, your self-made filling won’t be strong enough to sustain or protect the tooth for long.
To reduce the risk of sealing up bacteria in that cavity with your self-administered amalgam, take the time to clean the tooth and surrounding gums thoroughly and gently with a toothpaste and lukewarm water, and to avoid eating in that area before creating your filling.
Since every brand of emergency dental filling kit is different, it’s very important that you follow all of the instructions carefully. You should also keep in mind that the putty used to temporary fill your cavity will not match your tooth. Set aside all considerations of vanity for the time being, and focus on sealing up the cavity. When you get to your own dentist for a dental filling in Edmonton, their staff will explain all your options for the best cosmetic results. Those options may include tooth-coloured fillings.
If you lose a filling in a situation where you simply can not get to an emergency dentist quickly, purchase and use an emergency dental filling kit to temporarily protect your tooth in the short-term until you can see your dentist for a dental filling near you.
