Caring for Your Tooth-Colored Filling
If you’ve had to get a tooth filled in recent years, then you’re already aware of the vast strides that dentistry has made in that area. Unlike previous generations of patients who had to endure metal amalgam fillings, today’s dental patient can often enjoy the benefits of a tooth-colored filling that is shaded to match his teeth’s natural color. These fillings are designed to last and are all but indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Still, they do need to be cared for if you want them to endure. With that in mind, here are some simple tips to help you properly care for your tooth-colored fillings.
Brushing and Flossing
Can your filling get a cavity of its own? No, but that doesn’t mean that you’re free to ignore your teeth. For while a tooth-colored filling will properly fill that gap and protect that area of the tooth, the rest of the tooth and surrounding teeth remain as vulnerable to decay as they always are. To protect your mouth, you need to continue to brush at least twice a day, for two minutes at a time. You should also continue to floss each day to prevent plaque and debris from accumulating on your teeth and gums.
Reporting Bite Issues
While dentists make every effort to ensure that your filling doesn’t interfere with your natural bite, there are times when settling can subtly alter the results obtained in the dental office. Pay attention to your bite when you get home, and let your dentist know if you experience any imbalance so that a follow-up appointment can be made to correct the situation.
Sensitivity Management
Sometimes, patients experience little to no sensitivity in the wake of a filling procedure. At other times, there can be mild sensitivity that lasts for hours or several days. And then there are those severe sensitivity issues that continue for weeks or get worse in the days following your appointment. This is commonly seen in patients whose cavities were deep. If you experience lingering sensitivity, be sure to contact your dentist for help.
Regular Dental Care and Maintenance
Tooth-colored fillings are durable, but they are not indestructible. Like amalgam fillings, they require regular checkups to ensure their longevity. It is important to continue to schedule and keep your regular dental appointments, so that your dentist can evaluate your fillings, teeth, and gums. Along with your daily dental hygiene and awareness of potential problems, professional care helps to preserve and protect your oral health for life.
At Ebenezer Dental, we provide patients with the quality tooth-colored fillings they deserve, and the educational resources they need to maintain sound dental health. While it’s always better to prevent cavities, and preserve teeth in their natural state, it is comforting to know that tooth-colored fillings exist to provide patients with natural-looking solutions for common dental concerns. If you need a cavity repaired and are ready to discover how the best dentist in midtown Manhattan can help you, schedule your appointment today.