Dental fillings are a widely used treatment for fixing cavities and safeguarding the tooth against further decay. Fillings can restore function to your smile and prevent damage from worsening. Fillings are strong, but certain foods and habitual behaviors can weaken fillings over time. By recognizing what foods to avoid and how to safeguard your dental fillings in Georgetown, you can help ensure that your smile is healthy and lasting.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a material that is placed inside a tooth that has suffered from decay or minor damage. Dental fillings can be made from composite resin, amalgam, or a variety of dental materials. With proper maintenance of dental fillings, they can last for years and keep the teeth strong.
If you are searching for a Georgetown dentist near you, make sure to address any questions about maintaining your filling at your routine dental check-ups! Your dentist can provide you with habits and foods that may protect your dental restorations and other solutions to maintain your dental health.
Effect of Food on Dental Fillings
The foods you consume are incredibly important for the health of your fillings. Foods can be harsher on dental restorations, and exposure to certain foods over time can wear down or cause cracks in your filling. A dentist near you should monitor the condition of your fillings and provide recommendations for protection against any foods that may weaken the filling.
Hard Foods
Crunchy foods, such as nuts, ice cubes, hard candies, and unpopped popcorn, can add unnecessary forces to fillings. Biting down on hard foods could crack or chip your fillings. Fillings can be strong, but they are not indestructible.
Sticky Foods
Sticky sweets, such as caramel, taffy, or gummy candies, can pull on fillings. Sticky foods may loosen fillings over time or pull fillings out altogether if they stay stuck for long.
Sugary Foods
Sugar feeds bad bacteria that live in your mouth, producing acids that eat away at enamel and fillings. If you eat candy, drink soda, or consume sugary desserts frequently, your fillings can weaken, and decay can develop underneath fillings.
Acidic Foods
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based foods are acidic and can erode enamel as well as affect the edges of fillings. Regular exposure to acidic foods may lessen the life expectancy of your dental work.
Beverages That Will Damage Fillings
It is not just food; certain beverages can damage fillings too:
- Soda and Energy Drinks: With both high sugar and acidity, soda and energy drinks can erode the enamel surrounding fillings.
- Coffee and Tea: Coffee and tea can stain composite fillings and their appearance as well.
- Alcohol: Many drinks that contain alcohol can reduce the moisture in your mouth and saliva. Saliva typically protects your teeth.
How to Keep Your Fillings Safe?
While certain foods and drinks can be problematic, you can do some simple things to protect your dental fillings:
Keep Up Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day and flossing each day will keep food bits away and prevent decay around your fillings. It is also a good idea to visit your dentist once a year for them to inspect your fillings for early signs of deterioration and to guide you on how to take the best care of them.
Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods
Reducing hard candies andsticky sweets can lessen the strain you put on your fillings. If you insist on eating a hard/sticky treat, take small bites, or chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
Rinse After Eating
When you eat a lot of sugary or acidic foods, rinsing your mouth with water afterwards can help wash away the bad acids and reduce the acids attacking your fillings.
Seek Routine Dental Care
By having dental appointments, you give your dentist a chance to keep an eye on the health of your fillings. They can catch a little issue before it becomes a bigger issue, or if you need minor repairs. With a dentist in Georgetown, you can have peace of mind knowing that your fillings will last longer while keeping your smile healthy and bright.
Extra Measures to Increase the Quality of Your Fillings
- Use a Mouthguard: If you find that you grind your teeth at night, your fillings are clearly not made to bear tooth-grinding.
- Chewing Carefully: Try not to use your teeth to open package containers or chew on anything not food.
- Balanced Diet: Adding more fruits and vegetables with dairy can add strength to your teeth and meet provisions for maintaining fillings.
Look After Your Fillings and Your Smile—SunnyView Dental Can Help!
Dental fillings are made to restore and protect teeth, but fillings are not indestructible. Chewing on hard, sticky, sour, and sugary foods can destroy fillings if done regularly. Protecting your fillings includes good oral hygiene, limiting these types of foods, and going to the dentist regularly for a dental check-up.
At SunnyView Dental Georgetown, we offer top-quality dental assistance in order to keep your teeth healthy—think fillings—and strong. From routine dental check-ups to more specialized care, we provide a service that is accommodating, friendly, and respectful. If you are looking for a dentist near you that provides assured quality care, set up an appointment today to experience SunnyView Dental Georgetown, and let us show you ways to keep your smile, teeth, and fillings as good as new for years to come!
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