High tooth fillings are typically caused by cavities or decay between the tooth’s enamel and a filling, or within the primary root canal. For many people, high tooth fillings do not require much if any attention, and may even be protected by surrounding teeth.
However, in some instances a high filling might be subject to additional pressures which will force it to protrude beyond your tooth’s surface. This is problematic because an exposed filling can cause further damage to your mouth in the form of tooth sensitivity and pain.
Table of Contents
First wash your mouth with warm salt water
First, wash your mouth with warm salt water.Next, mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of hot water and swish the mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds.If you have mouthwash and peroxide at home, swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
After that, take some over-the-counter pain medication and gently press an ice pack to your cheek to reduce swelling.Finally, avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and carbonated beverages that can irritate the filling.
When you are comfortable with the floss, start working it around the filling
Make sure to get a good hold on the floss when you start wrapping it around your fingers. It will be hard to get it inside your mouth if you don’t have a secure grip.Once you have a good hold, take your index fingers and press them against both sides of the tooth. This will help keep the floss pressed against the tooth while you push downward.
You may not be able to reach all of the filling with just one piece of floss. If this is the case, use multiple pieces for better coverage.Start at the top and work your way down until you reach underneath the filling. If there are any pieces of food stuck in between, they should come out easily at this point.
Using your thumb and forefinger, carefully work the floss back and forth around the filling.
Using your thumb and forefinger, carefully work the floss back and forth around the filling. Be mindful of the edges of the filling, as they can be sharp and cause cuts.Toothpaste. The fluoride in toothpaste can help repair minor damage to a dental filling. Use a toothbrush or your finger to apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the affected area and leave it for about 10 minutes before rinsing with water.
Slowly pull the floss towards you while keeping pressure on it
- The first step is to remove the floss from the packaging. To do this, pull it out of the dispenser and cut it to a length that’s comfortable with you. It’s recommended that you cut your floss in a length of at least 18 inches.
- Once you have your floss cut, wrap each end around your middle fingers. Take one hand and place it between your teeth so that the strand of floss is tight between them.
- To hold the strand in place, use your index finger and thumb.Gently insert the floss in between your teeth and slide it up and down against both sides of the tooth. The motion should be like a back-and-forth sawing motion.
- Try to make sure that you get through all parts of the tooth, even at its base where it meets the gum line.
- Slowly pull the floss towards you while keeping pressure on it. This will help loosen any food particles or plaque that might be stuck in between your teeth.
- Once you’re done cleaning one side of both teeth, discard of this piece of floss and grab a new section. It’s important that you don’t reuse old pieces because they may still be contaminated with bacteria or food particles.
Push up with floss and try to remove the high filling
In the meantime, if you want to relieve some of the pressure, use an interdental cleaner (such as floss) to push the filling back into place. With your clean finger or floss, press down on the side of the tooth with the high filling until it is almost level with the tooth next to it. You can also try running your tongue over the filling to help push it down.
If the previous method doesn’t work, try using dental instruments to remove the high filling
If the previous method doesn’t work, try using dental instruments to remove the high filling.
This process requires some skill and experience, so if you don’t feel comfortable attempting this yourself, see a dentist for professional help.
- Take a dental probe and place it against the top edge of the tooth.
- Gently tap it with a mallet. The mallet should be made of rubber so not to chip your tooth. Repeat this step until you are able to lift up all of the high filling material. If a portion of the high filling remains, use a needle holder to grasp it and gently pull on it until it comes off.
- Once you’ve removed the filling, replace it with a new one that fits properly. To do this, apply a new layer of composite resin over the tooth, then use an instrument called an articulating paper to check for any high spots.
- If you discover another problem with your dental work, contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. They can help determine what’s causing the issue and resolve it for you.
Conclusion
If this is your first time doing this, take your time and be patient with yourself. If you have done a filling before, try to practice with some beeswax to get the hang of it before you try to work on something at home.