5 Tips to Extending the Lifespan & Usefulness of Dental Fillings

A healthy smile is free of dental issues like cavities, bacterial infection, and gum disease. If decay is compromising the structural integrity of your teeth, we can restore your smile to full health with dental fillings. Fillings help repair the damage caused by decay to keep your smile going strong for years. With proper care, fillings can provide long-term protection for your teeth.  

Here, Dr. Moosa Dalwai from The Art of Dentistry in Lilburn, Georgia, shares five dental care tips that can help extend the lifespan and usefulness of your fillings: 

Tip #1: Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral care will keep dental fillings going strong for many years. This includes brushing and flossing daily and using an antibacterial rinse to keep your fillings free of plaque, bacteria, and debris that can lead to future cavities. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing your mouth after meals are additional habits you can establish to protect your teeth and fillings.

Tip #2: Eat Healthily 

The food you eat will impact the health and function of your fillings. Healthy food rich in nutrients that promote tooth and gum health will keep your teeth and fillings in good shape long-term. In contrast, sugary food and drinks can erode the enamel of your teeth, making you more prone to cavities. New decay can develop around your fillings, causing further damage to your teeth. Hard and sticky food can cause fillings to chip, crack, or come loose. A healthy diet will help preserve your restorations and the integrity of your smile. 

Tip #3: Adopt Good Lifestyle Habits

Caring for dental fillings may require some lifestyle changes, as certain habits can be harmful to your restorations and your oral health. Smoking is one of these habits. Smoking can stain your filling and weaken your tooth structure, causing the filling to fail over time. Chewing on ice, chomping on pencils and pens, and using your teeth as tools are additional habits that put fillings at risk. These behaviors can damage your fillings over time, rendering them useless.   

Tip #4: See Your Dentist Regularly

Dr. Dalwai can check the state of your fillings regularly during routine visits to ensure they’re functioning as they should. If your filling is compromised by undue wear or damage, we can replace it quickly before decay sets in. Routine dental cleanings will remove plaque and tartar buildup on and around your filling to improve its effectiveness for the future. 

Tip #5: Protect Your Teeth Against Grinding

If you grind your teeth at night, wear a night guard to protect your fillings from chipping or cracking prematurely. Dr. Dalwai can have a night guard custom-made for your use. A night guard will keep your teeth from grinding to safeguard your fillings and improve your oral health. 

Dental Fillings Near Me

Are you in need of a dental filling for cavities? We’ve got you covered at The Art of Dentistry in Lilburn, GA. Contact us at (470) 570-9699 for all your oral care needs.

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