How to Take Care of Your Dental Fillings
Oral fillings are an important part of dental care. They are used to fill in cavities and protect your teeth from further damage. It is important to take care of your fillings so they can last as long as possible. Read on to learn more about dental fillings and how to care for them.
Why Get A Filling
Dental fillings are placed to help treat a cavity after your dentist has removed the parts of damaged or decayed teeth. When you get your tooth filled, it is important to make sure you are taking care of the filling so that the filling lasts for a long time. The way you care for the filling will determine if you will have to get another filling in the future.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Fillings can last 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced, assuming you have healthy teeth and take care of your teeth well. Taking care of the filling will also help minimize any risk to your tooth. Your oral health is very important. When you take care of your mouth, you are keeping your entire body healthy.
Oral health is very important, and many factors of other health issues start with your mouth. Your teeth and gums should be a priority, as well as taking care of your fillings to keep your mouth healthy.
Pain & Sensitivity After Getting Dental Fillings
Your filling may not be set correctly or hasn’t been set yet
The main reason you may get or experience any pain after getting dental fillings is that the filling itself could be sore and the filling may have been set too high. When the dentist places your filling, they do their best to try and get the filling at the right height. However, that’s not always the case.
You may also experience some pain from the filling if the filling hasn’t been set. There are so many different types of fillings and the amount of time that it takes for them to set are all different. The options for fillings are dependent on what your doctor thinks is best and depending on if you have a cavity. Also, if it is in the beginning stages or if it is a more serious cavity where you need silver, gold, or white filling which are all offered.
Your cavity may have required additional drilling
With a filling, you may get some slight pain as the tooth becomes sensitive due to the drilling you just experienced in your tooth. Depending on the severity, the dentist may have to drill deeper to fill the damaged tooth. You shouldn’t experience pain. If you do have pain in the tooth or teeth around the filling the pain should stop within a week but ask your dentist if you are continuing to get pain in the tooth you recently got filled.
Your dentist may have placed a raincoat
You may also experience some pain in the teeth besides the filling due to the dentist placing a raincoat on your tooth, which is just a protector for the teeth and placed around the tooth being filled during the procedure. This tooth protector is a small rubber sheet that is also nicknamed a “trampoline” by some dentists.
Again, you should notice the pain around the filled tooth will go away within one to two weeks. All of your teeth should be pain-free at that time, and if not, it is important to contact your dentist to ensure that everything regarding your mouth is still healthy and that your teeth are okay.
Caring for Your Dental Filling Every Day
The importance of caring for your mouth after a filling is vital. Brushing and flossing daily after every meal can help you maintain the overall health of your teeth, gums, and fillings. If you are experiencing sensitivity, you can try using a different toothpaste that is for sensitive teeth until you are pain-free. Using fluoride toothpaste will also work to extend the lifespan of your tooth’s filling.
You should also make it a habit to floss once a day after eating and continue to take care of your gums. Be gentle when brushing your teeth after your filling, watch what you eat and avoid eating very hot food and cold foods. When you chew, make sure to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. This will help make sure you aren’t aggravating your filling and the area around your filling.
You should also avoid eating foods that are sticky, hard, or chewy after you get your dental filling, as those things can be the cause of your dental filling getting loose and may result in you needing the same tooth filled if it comes loose. It is recommended you eat a healthy diet that is low in sugary foods to prevent further decay and tooth damage.
Dental Filling Checklist:
- Avoid biting down on hard objects
- Avoid sticky foods
- Brush your teeth daily
- Floss regularly
- Get regular dental check-ups
- Use fluoride toothpaste
Having great oral health and a great smile is something that each individual should be proud to have. By applying the tips above to your daily routine, it will help improve, preserve, and maintain your overall oral health and the condition of your dental fillings.
Schedule a Visit To Examine Your Dental Fillings
It is important that you are taking care of your fillings and overall oral health. It is also important to go in regularly for your checkups, and don’t skip them! Be proactive. Regular dental appointments are part of good dental habits that keep your teeth healthy and your mouth fresh.
Visit Snodgrass-King Dental Associates at any of our 5 locations across Middle Tennessee (Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Cool Springs) to see if we can jump-start and be a resource in you or even your child’s healthy dental lifestyle. If not, we can offer a variety of alternatives for not only children but also adults. We can also address any orthodontic needs of children, teens, and adults.
If you feel that this is an option for you, we’d love to explore them in your next dental visit. If you have any questions, we’d love to answer any of those, as well as help you find the best solution for all your dental needs. Call us today at (615) 771-1111 to schedule your next appointment.
