How to Take Care of Tooth Fillings

Brush and floss your teeth every day, including after each meal. This habit helps you maintain the health of your gums and fillings, in addition, a clean oral environment also limits the possibility of future fillings, as well as unsightly stains.

• Remember to brush and floss after each meal if possible. Plaque on teeth creates a favorable environment for tooth decay to develop and destroy existing fillings. If a toothbrush is not available, you should chew gum instead. ^[21]
• Coffee, tea, and alcohol can stain fillings and teeth. If you use these drinks, you should brush your teeth afterwards to keep your oral cavity clean.
• Smoking also causes yellowing of teeth and fillings.

Control your consumption of sugary and acidic foods or drinks. These foods contribute to the need for fillings, and by limiting their consumption you can improve your oral health. Tooth decay easily occurs underneath an existing filling. Over time fillings will slowly weaken and leak, so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and good hygiene to prevent cavities beneath the filling. Brushing your teeth after eating is a good measure to prevent future fillings. ^[22]

• If you can’t brush your teeth because you’re at school, you should rinse your mouth. Drink more water, limit snacking and don’t eat sticky foods.
• Learning to eat a healthy and balanced diet, including low-fat protein, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, this way of eating promotes general health and oral health.
• Some healthy foods also contain acids, including citrus fruits. You can still eat this fruit, but limit it and remember to brush your teeth after eating. Consider diluting their juice with water in a 50/50 ratio.
• Examples of foods that contain both sugar and acids are soft drinks, candy, and alcohol. Sports drinks, energy drinks and coffee with sugar should also be limited.

Use fluorine-containing gels. If you have a lot of fillings, ask your dentist to prescribe a gel or toothpaste containing fluorine. Fluorine helps protect teeth from decay and improves overall oral health. ^[23]

• Fluorine-containing gels or toothpastes also strengthen enamel, prolonging the life of fillings.

Avoid using mouthwash and toothpaste that contain alcohol. These products reduce the durability of fillings or cause them to yellow. Use an alcohol-free tinted toothpaste or mouthwash to avoid that. ^[24]

• You can find alcohol-free toothpaste and mouthwash at supermarkets, drugstores, or online.

Do not grind your teeth. Many people have a habit of grinding their teeth at night, leading to damage to their teeth or fillings. If this is the case, you should consult your dentist about using a mouthguard. ^[25]

• The habit of grinding teeth wears down the filling, causing sensitivity, chipping or cracking in the filling. ^[26]
• Biting your nails, opening bottles or holding objects with your teeth are also bad habits. Try to avoid these habits so you don’t damage your teeth or fillings.