We all prefer the best dental care. A filling is not something one looks forward to changing very soon. However, eventually, even the best fillings wear out. If you’ve recently gotten a filling done or wish to prolong the life of an existing one, this blog is for you.
Here, you’ll find things that can help keep your fillings strong and intact for long enough so that you don’t think about having to get repairs anytime soon!
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
While it sounds like common sense, hygiene is important to maintain the good shape of your dental fillings in Metairie.
- Brush Twice a Day: Use fluoridated toothpaste. Plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria, builds up around the fillings and eventually starts weakening them. It is not just about keeping your teeth white; it is more about guarding the work the dentist did. Hence, don’t skip your morning or night brushing routine!
- Floss Daily: If you have ever missed a day of flossing, then you know the pain and discomfort when food gets lodged between teeth. It sometimes goes beyond discomfort- your filling can also be affected by the presence of food and plaque around them. Flossing is excellent at getting rid of debris stuck in places your toothbrush cannot reach, and around those edges of fillings where food and plaque like to hang out. It gets rid of that nasty stuff.
- Pick the Right Toothbrush: The type of toothbrush you use can make a difference. Over time, hard-bristled brushes wear down fillings. Stick to your soft-bristled one.
Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods
Be cautious of these foods.
- Hard Foods: There’s that lovely, crunchy, satisfying sound when you’re chewing through a chunk of ice or candy. Your fillings, however, do not appreciate such things. Ice, nuts, or hard candies may crack or even dislodge the fillings. Hence, you should stay away from these foods to keep your fillings safe.
- Sticky Foods: Sticky toffees, taffies, and chewable gummies are far greater threats to your fillings than you probably imagined. They can get lodged between the surfaces of your fillings, and plaque may build up and sometimes pull the filling out. While we aren’t denying that everyone could indulge their sweet tooth every now and then, they must learn to do so in moderation.
- Balanced Diet: A healthy diet plays an important role in taking care of your fillings and mouth. For instance, cheese and green leafy vegetables supply calcium that strengthens teeth against wear and tear as you eat daily. Drinking plenty of water should wash away food particles and help kill the acids that erode fillings.
Regular Dental Checkup
Just because you’ve had your fillings placed doesn’t mean you’ll be free and clear for years to come. Regular dental checkups help keep your fillings healthy.
- Professional Monitoring: It is very important to see your dentist for regular checkups, even if you feel no pain at all. Such checkups will allow your dentist to monitor the condition of your fillings and prevent small problems from turning into big ones. Think of it as a maintenance check for your smile!
- X-rays: X-rays are not only used to spot hidden cavities; they also reveal whether there is any damage to the fillings or decay commencing underneath them.
- Repair and Replacement: In time, fillings may wear down or break. But don’t worry! Repair and replacement of fillings keep your smile in tip-top shape. So, always have your fillings repaired when they wear down early rather than waiting for a greater problem to arise.
Mind Your Teeth Grinding
Do you ever wake up with sore jaws or pesky headaches? Well, you could have a nighttime grinding habit. It may seem small to you, but it is a big problem for your fillings.
- Grinding at Night and Bruxism: Grinding entails excess pressure on your fillings and this breaks or wears them much quicker than normal. Any person who is concerned about late-night teeth grinding needs to take action.
- Protective Measures: One simple but effective mechanism is a custom-made mouthguard. This cushions the impact and protects your fillings from grinding wear and tear.
Taking care of your dental fillings is easier than you might have thought! Just good oral hygiene, avoiding harmful foods, keeping tabs on dental checkups, and protecting teeth from grinding can ensure your fillings stay in good condition for many years.
A little care right now can save you from flashbacks of costly repair jobs later. So, contact us for a dentist’s appointment and flash a happy smile, knowing you have done everything to protect your fillings!
