As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
If one of your fillings has become chipped or cracked, or if part of the surface has come away, you'll need to have it replaced. Remember, fillings are used to cover up removed areas of decay; without them, the inner part of your tooth will be exposed to harmful bacteria, and this can be especially problematic since toothbrushes won't be able to reach inside fractured fillings.
Here are just four signs that you might need to have a filling replaced.
1. Sensitivity
If the structure of a filling is compromised, it means that inner parts of each tooth will be unprotected. The inner part of each tooth is more sensitive than the tough outer surface, so you are likely to notice an increase in sensitivity. This is most likely to occur when you are brushing; as you brush over the tooth in question, you may notice sharp stabbing sensations. However, you might also find that the tooth seems more sensitive than those surrounding it to changes in temperature, such as those caused by hot and cold foods and drinks.
2. Jaggedness
It's often possible for most of the filling to come out without the patient even being aware that this has happened. You won't necessarily feel any pain when this happens, but you should be able to notice a certain jaggedness. If you run your finger back against the tooth in question, you should feel a rougher and uneven surface if the filling has been compromised. You might even find that floss is cut apart or tooth bristles caught when you take care of your everyday oral health routine.
3. Soreness
If new decay has been able to gain a foothold around the filling, you're likely to experience some discomfort while chewing. You may begin to notice that you feel more comfortable chewing tougher foods on the other side of your mouth. Unless decay is advanced, severe pain is unlikely, but the tooth may feel more fragile.
4. Discolouration
Sometimes fillings will become discoloured over time, in which case many patients will want them to be replaced for cosmetic reasons. However, this discolouration can also hint at underlying problems. If there is a gap through which food debris and liquids can enter, it is possible that compounds are getting in just behind the tooth to cause staining. Since you won't be able to reach those areas with a brush, staining will occur much faster than it normally would, so consider discolouration around the filling reason enough to see your dentist.
Share8 November 2016
