The dental filling procedure is a restorative dental procedure. It allows your dentist to repair the dental fractures that appear after the removal of cavities.
Most people think that dental fillings are permanent solutions—but that is not the case. Dental fillings are found to have a twenty-year maximum lifespan. However, the longevity of your dental fillings depends on how you treat them.
Here are some tips that you can follow to ensure you can extend the life cycle of your dental fillings.
Dental Filling Aftercare
The steps you need to take to ensure your dental fillings can last for a long time begin the moment you get them. You need to avoid sticky and chewy food and bite food lightly.
Avoid Sticky and Chewy Food
Dental fillings are meant to withstand chewing all kinds of food. However, for the next two weeks, you may want to avoid any sticky or chewy food.
Although your dentist does everything in their power to make your fillings strong, some fillings may take some time to set and comfortably bond with your teeth. Eating sticky and chewy food can dislodge the filling or take it out completely.
Bite Lightly
Some people complain about toothaches after getting a new dental filling. Putting too much pressure when biting and chewing food causes pain and even damage to the new filling.
Keeping your jaw loose and biting lightly can minimise the pain. Taking your time to chew your food can also help.
Dental Filling Maintenance
Maintaining the integrity of your dental filling is the same as managing good dental health. That is why to keep your dental filling for a long time, you need to practice proper oral hygiene, eat a balanced diet, and avoid using your teeth as tools.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Practising proper oral hygiene is the best way to keep your dental fillings in place. When you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, maintain your oral health and prevent the formation of cavities that can eat away at your teeth and damage your fillings.
Proper oral hygiene also includes seeing a dentist for an exam and a dental cleaning. This will keep you on top of your dental health and stop early dental issues from developing further.
Eat a Balanced Diet
When you want to keep your dental fillings for a long while, you may want to watch what you are eating. Food that is great for your dental health can help you keep your fillings for a longer time. But it’s best to avoid those proven to cause damage to your teeth.
Research shows that incorporating leafy greens, fatty fish, dairy, and cacao nibs into your diet can boost your oral health. However, extremely sugary, sour, and processed food compromises enamel integrity, promotes plaque build-up, and causes cavities.
Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools
Some people use their teeth to open sauce packets when a pair of scissors is out of sight. Others even open bottles with their teeth as a party trick. Both of these are not ideal if you want to keep your teeth intact.
The pressure you exert on your teeth to open packets and bottles can dislodge your fillings. It can also cause serious fractures to your teeth and even harm your gums.
Conclusion
Dental fillings are not permanent. You can use them for twenty years of use at most, but their longevity depends greatly on how you take care of them after the procedure and the years after.
The best way to look after your dental fillings is to take care of all of your teeth. However, if your dental filling does not feel quite right or you are in pain, contact your dentist as soon as you can.
If you are looking for a restorative dentist in Brisbane, QLD, turn to Enamel Dental Studio for help. We offer a wide range of expert dental services that can give you a healthier and brighter smile. Book an appointment today!