Dental fillings are one of the most common ways to treat cavities and typically take just several minutes to complete. Although fillings are not meant to last forever, you can take steps to extend their lifespan. Your lifestyle can play a big role in how long your fillings last.
Here are a few ways to help your fillings last longer.
Be Careful About the Foods You Eat
When you have dental fillings, you have to be extra careful about the foods you put in your mouth. If you constantly bite down on hard candy and nuts, for example, you could crack your fillings faster. Also, you should limit your consumption of sugary foods because they can cause new decay to form underneath your fillings.
Avoid Chewing on Ice
If you frequently chew on ice, you are not alone. However, this habit does not just wear down the enamel of your teeth. It can also wear down your dental fillings faster. To avoid prematurely wearing out your fillings, you should make an effort to quit this habit.
Resume Good Oral Hygiene
The tooth underneath your dental filling can still become infected with new bacteria. That is why it is important to keep up with your oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and floss once a day. Remember to brush extra gently to avoid damaging your filling.
Do not Grind Your Teeth
Teeth grinding is one of the worst oral habits you can have. In addition to causing chips and cracks in your teeth, it can wear down your dental fillings. If you tend to clench your teeth while you're asleep, consider wearing a mouthguard. Although you can buy a mouthguard over-the-counter, you should think about getting a custom mouthguard from your dentist because it will fit better.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Even if your dental fillings seem fine, you should still visit your dentist for a checkup every six months. During these checkups, your dentist will assess the condition of your dental fillings. If your dentist notices that a filling is damaged, he or she can replace it before it causes you more issues.
As you can see, you can do many things to extend the lifespan of your dental filling. If your filling has been giving you problems lately, you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
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