My tooth filling is moving when I floss my tooth

[Johnson]

Hi

One of my fillings on my back teeth seems to be moving every time I floss around that tooth. I have tried to remove the filling by flossing but although the filling moves, it does not seem to come out.

The filling has been like this for probably a week now and the tooth is now very sensitive to cold drinks and now I am worried that something may happen to the tooth if I leave it as it.

But if I leave the tooth as it for two months what is the worst thing that can happen to the tooth? Surely if the filling is in the tooth cavity, it will still protect it from things getting into the tooth.

I would like to know if you feel that I can leave the loose filling as it is until my next checkup with my dentist in 2 months or if you feel that I should do something about this tooth more urgently?

[Dr Ehsan J. Esfahani]

Hello Johnson,

Thank you for your post.

Loose fillings occur commonly and are a dental emergency. Loose fillings can be sensitive and painful on eating and drinking. Leaving a loose filling is not advised because food and bacteria will build-up in the cavity and can cause harm to the nerve. If the nerve is irreversibly damaged then you will need root canal treatment. Root canal treatment effets the long term prognosis of the tooth and can also be costly.

You should not leave the loose filling until your next check-up and should book an emergency appointment as soon as is possible. Emergency appointments are available 24 hours, 7 days a week at Pearl.