When a cavity chews its way through your dental enamel, the most likely fix is a dental filling: a restoration designed to fill the small hole in your tooth. Fillings are great for protecting your pearly whites from further bacterial invasions, but like almost all physical objects, they’re subject to the circle of life. After a certain amount of wear and tear, you’ll probably have to replace it.
So how much use can you get out of your dental filling before it’s time for it to retire? That largely depends on how well you take care of your teeth! Learn all about it in this post.
Oral Hygiene and Dental Restorations
One thing you’ll certainly notice about your filling is that it’s inorganic. This means that the bacteria that cause cavities technically can’t affect them the same way they affect enamel. However, that doesn’t mean you can throw the toothbrush out with the toothpaste! Good oral hygiene is important for maintaining any dental restoration. After all, if a cavity causes more decay, then your filling will likely fall out.
Dietary Dilemmas
For the most part, a filling will allow you to eat your normal diet. That said, snacking on crunchy and sticky foods will put extra strain on your restoration. They’re not the best textures for your natural teeth, and they can harm fillings if you’re not careful. Try to limit how often you chew tricky snacks, and make sure you attend biannual dental appointments so your dentist can monitor the status of your filling.
Resist Bad Oral Habits
Tough foods aren’t the only substance that can break or pull out your filling! Fingernails, ice cubes, pens, packaging, and other such objects are hard enough to cause dental damage.
The tricky thing about impulsive chewing is that it can be a difficult habit to break. Lean on your support systems for help if necessary, and if anxiety is a trigger, consider talking to a licensed therapist for personalized stress management tips.
Conclusion
The average life expectancy for a dental filling is about 10 years. That said, remember that these factors can make it last longer – or cause it to expire prematurely. If you’d rather get the most out of your restoration, talk to your dentist. They’ll keep a careful eye on your filling and help you take good care of it.
About the Author
Dr. Rodney L. Allen earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry in Texas and has been providing quality dental care to patients near Parker for over 20 years. His favorite part of the job is forming long-lasting connections with his patients! If you’d like more information about fillings or other dental matters, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Allen’s office at 720-851-6784.