Do fillings need replacing often?
Cavities are a normal part of most people’s dental history. They can often be caused by decay from over-consuming certain items such as sweets or fizzy drinks. In addition, cavities can be caused by patients having a poor dental hygiene routine, and not brushing or flossing their teeth daily. In order to combat this, dentists insert a filling into the patient’s tooth, which fills the cavityDecay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion. and restores the tooth, as well as preventing any further damage and cleaning the decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure..
However, once the fillingA lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, or porcelain. is inserted, people can become worried about how long it will last. The good news is that all fillings are very durable, but some are stronger and have a longer lifespan than others. No filling is permanent, but gold and silver/amalgamSingle surface silver filling. fillings can survive for nearly 20 years before needing to be replaced. White fillings often have shorter lifespans despite still being strong, and are more aesthetically appealing.
Your filling will be compromised by poor dental hygiene and this will manifest itself in cracks or chips beginning to appear. These can lead to decay growing, requiring immediate dental intervention. To avoid this, you should floss daily, and brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Treat your fillings as you would treat the natural enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth. on your teeth to ensure longevity. Avoid habits such as clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth, as these can result in unnecessary pressure being applied to your filling and reduce their lifespan.
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