What To Do If Your Crown Falls Out?

A crown is also known as a dental filling. While they are wonderfully helpful for cosmetic reasons, and also protect your teeth from damage, they are not infallible. In fact, it is very common for a filling to chip, crack, break, or for a permanent crown to come off.

Over time, the deterioration of your teeth can cause you to seek the help of your dentist in order to further protect your bite. However, if you notice that chewing foods or hard candy, or feel sensitivity to liquids, it could be the sign that you need to take better care of your teeth.

When tooth decay causes your teeth and fillings to breakdown or a crown to fall out – call your dentist. If you find that tooth, filling, or crown has fallen completely out of your mouth, you will need to care for it. Regardless of the condition of the tooth or crown, handling it with care quickly can make the situation easier. Here are some useful tips that can help you take care of a broken crown.

5 Tips for Taking Care of a Broken Crown

• Remove the Crown

  If you have a loose filling or a tooth crown came off, it is important to take it out safely. Once you have completely removed the crown, broken or intact, place it in a safe place so that it does not get damaged on the way to the dentist’s office. This is one of the most vital parts of replacing the crown in your mouth and restoring your smile!

• Call the Dentist

  Once you remove the crown completely from your mouth, you can rest assured that it is going to be ok. All you need to do next is call the dentist and make an appointment to get the crown replaced. Do NOT wait to call for an appointment as it considered an emergency dental need when a permanent crown came off.

• Protect the Space

  When you are missing a tooth, filling, or crown, it will leave a noticeable space in your mouth. This space can be painful especially when eating, so take care with your mouth and avoid allowing anything to get into that open space. Further, during times that you are not eating, fill the space with clean gauze, cheesecloth, or another clean dry cloth to avoid damaging your delicate mouth.

• Stay Clean

  During times when your mouth is healthy and your teeth are strong, you may chew hard foods and even indulge in sugary beverages. When you have a broken bite and are missing a crown, it is more important than ever to maintain good dental hygiene. Always brush twice a day, floss at least once, and use a strengthening mouthwash to avoid damaging the sensitive area. If your permanent crown came off, store it in a clean dry cloth and always keep it out of humidity and sunlight, until your dental appointment. The same care instructions are recommended if a temporary crown fell out.

• STOP the Pain

  Sharp pain in your mouth as the result of a damaged broken tooth, filling, or a lost crown is common. As soon as a tooth crown came off, or you break a filling – call your dentist. Until you can actually step foot in the office and fix the lost crown permanently, practice gentle dental care, and stop the pain with an oral anesthetic. Immediate pain relief for a broken crown can be found in over-the-counter medications, like pain relieving tooth gel and mouth rinse.

Talking to Your Dentist About a Crown

If you are surprised that your filling cracked or broke don’t worry. A common complaint at the dentist office is, “My temporary crown fell out!” Never fear. Just use these 5 tips to help care for your teeth, and if a tooth crown came off, call Gables Sedation Dentistry immediately. Set an appointment to repair the damage, and get your pearly white smile back, as soon as possible!