Lost a filling? What to do and when it becomes urgent

16 / 10 / 2026

Lost a filling? What to do and when it becomes urgent

Biting down and feeling something hard and gritty in your mouth, then finding a hole with your tongue, is an unsettling experience. A lost filling is very common and usually not a true emergency, but it does need sorting out. Here is what to do.

Why do fillings fall out?

• New decay: decay can develop around the edge of a filling, loosening it
• Wear and tear: fillings do not last forever and can wear down over time
• Biting on something hard or sticky: such as toffee, ice or hard sweets
• Grinding or clenching: puts extra stress on fillings
• A crack in the tooth: can cause part of the tooth and filling to break away

What to do straight away

• Remove the filling from your mouth so you do not swallow or inhale it
• Rinse gently with warm salt water
• Keep the area clean by brushing gently
• Avoid chewing on that side
• Avoid very hot, cold or sugary food and drinks
• You can buy temporary filling material from a pharmacy to protect the tooth for a few days
• Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed

When it becomes urgent

Call us as soon as possible if you have:

• Severe or throbbing pain
• Swelling in your gum or face
• A sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek
• A large part of the tooth broken away

These can be signs of infection or a more serious problem.

Even if it does not hurt, try to see us within a week or two. A tooth without a filling is more likely to decay further or break.

How we fix it

We will check the tooth, remove any new decay and place a new filling. If a large part of the tooth has been lost, we may recommend a crown or onlay to protect it.

What will it cost?

On the NHS, a filling is a band 2 treatment, costing £76.60 from april 2026. Privately at castle street, tooth-coloured composite fillings start from £150.

Give us a call

Call our team on 01494 527971 and we will get you booked in.