Dental fillings can repair teeth that are affected by damage or decay. They are a common restorative treatment and tend to be quite durable. However, you need to carry out proper maintenance to ensure they last a long time without complications.
Your Burwood dentist will explain about how to maintain proper hygiene of your fillings. They can also help you understand the proper technique for brushing and flossing. You have to brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. The toothbrush should have soft bristles so that it is not too hard on your teeth. You have to be careful about brushing the area around the fillings. You need to ensure that any food particles or plaque are removed completely. It is also recommended that you floss daily. Many people tend to overlook flossing as it can be an additional step. But your toothbrush bristles cannot reach between the teeth or along the gumline. Therefore, you will need to floss so that the integrity of your dental fillings is maintained. An antimicrobial mouthwash can be used to rinse your mouth so that bacteria is reduced.
Food that is hard or sticky can damage your dental fillings. In some cases, the fillings can become loose or get dislodged. So it is best to avoid hard candies as these will put a lot of pressure on the dental fillings. They can fracture or crack the filling. If you do eat hard candy, make sure that you don’t bite down on them. Some people tend to chew ice and this can also be harmful for the same reason. Biting ice can damage your natural teeth as well. If you are a fan of sticky or chewy food such as taffy or caramel, there is a risk of these adhering to dental fillings and even pulling them out of place. So you have to limit your consumption to reduce the risk of damaging the fillings.
This is also called bruxism and it will put a lot of force on your dental fillings subjecting them to premature wear. In some cases, the fillings can even come loose. Sometimes, you will not have any idea that you do this because it can happen during sleep. You may experience headaches or jaw pain as a result of this. To prevent this, you can use a night guard so that your teeth and fillings are protected. You can visit the dental clinic to have a customised mouthguard done. It is very important that you go for routine dental check-ups as the dentist will be able to check the health of your teeth, gums and the fillings. If there is any damage, the dentist will be able to make repairs or even recommended necessary maintenance. Generally, it is recommended to visit the dentist once every six months.