I think I have broken a piece of a filling in my tooth - what should I do?

Unfortunately sometimes fillings for whatever reason may fall out or become chipped or broken. 

There are many reasons for this including biting down suddenly on something hard such as a hard boiled sweet. Symptoms can vary from none at all to sensitivity to hot and cold or tenderness on chewing. A lost filling will always feel much bigger to the tongue. 

It is important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. However if you cannot immediately access a dentist here are some  helpful tips .

• If you are having sensitivity try avoiding eating or drinking in that area, similarly if it is painful on biting. 
• The use of toothpaste can help with the sensitivity by rubbing some fluoride toothpaste on the tooth in question.
• As a temporary measure until you visit your dentist you may try and get some oil of cloves or a temporary filling kit from your pharmacy. However it is important that you attend your dentist as soon as possible to get the tooth restored to normal function. 

Finally the use of over-the-counter painkillers from a chemist if is constantly painful are also helpful until you contact the dentist. 

Don’t place any pain-killing tablets on the site of the tooth or its gum as this can cause burns to the gum.