Fillings are designed to be durable but they will eventually need replacing. Here are 6 signs that you need to visit your local dental office for a new filling.
Your dentist may suggest a dental filling if you have teeth that have been affected by decay and/or cavities. It is an ideal treatment for such conditions because it can generally be completed in one visit to your dental office.
Fillings are:
- cost-effective
- durable
- natural-looking
- safe with few side effects
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At Marlborough Dental Clinic, our qualified dentists provide a wide range of oral healthcare services from teeth whitenings and cleanings, to sedation dentistry and cosmetic treatments to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
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6 Signs Your Filling May Need to Be Replaced
Although fillings are designed to be durable, they will eventually require replacement, and visiting your dentist quickly for such treatment is important.
This is because a broken filling can cause:
- serious infection
- dental pain
- gum infection
- further tooth decay and tooth loss
To help you protect your smile, teeth, and gums, here are 6 signs your filling may need to be replaced:
1. The Filling is Cracked
Wear and tear can eventually cause your filling to crack and although this often takes years to happen, it can occur sooner if you grind your teeth.
How will I know if my filling has a crack?
In some cases, you may see a crack in the filling, but in others, you might not know you have one until you have x-rays during your visit to the dentist.
REMEMBER: Any opening in your tooth, even a narrow crack, can allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause decay, so it’s important to get your filling replaced as soon as possible.
2. Your Tooth Hurts
Do you have a throbbing toothache where your filling is? It could be possible that your filling has deteriorated and a deep cavity has developed. If it is left untreated, it can become infected, and then require more extensive dental treatment such as a root canal or extraction.
3. You Have Sensitivity When You Drink Cold Beverages
If your tooth is highly sensitive to hot, cold, or sugary foods/drinks, then there may be a crack in or around the filling, even though you aren’t able to see it.
Why does the sensitivity occur?
A crack in your filling allows bacteria to invade the space, exposing the sensitive inner pulp, and creating discomfort and sensitivity.
4. Your Filling is Discolored
Do you have composite resin fillings? Over time, these tooth-coloured fillings can become darker or start to look slightly yellow. Replacing the filling will restore your tooth’s appearance and give you a brighter, more beautiful smile.
5. You Were Injured
If you sustain a blow to the mouth, not only may you have a tooth fracture, but restorations such as fillings could become chipped, loosened, or completely dislodged. If you do experience an injury, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Your Family Dentist Can Help Restore A Filling
6. Your Filling is Old
Depending on the type of material used (eg. amalgam or composite resin), fillings often last between 7-15 years. If your filling is old and starting to show some signs of wear and tear, it’s important to replace it before it cracks.
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To find out more about how our dentists can help replace a broken or cracked filling, and restore your oral health, contact our Calgary dental office at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
