Getting a cavity filled once can be stressful enough, but finding out that you might need the filling replaced can be downright disheartening. Unfortunately, some dental fillings can exhibit signs of recurrent decay.
Here are 3 signs you can be watching for that might indicate it's time to have your filling replaced.
1. Discoloration
One tell-tale sign of recurrent decay is discoloration surrounding your existing filling. The outermost layer of your teeth is known as the enamel. This material is translucent, and appears white in color.
When decay wears through the enamel of a tooth, a type of dentin known as reparative dentin forms in response to the presence of bacterial or microbial irritants. This reparative dentin is yellowish or gray in color, providing the visible discoloration that forms near your existing filling when recurrent decay is present.
2. Cracks
When a cavity in your tooth is filled, the material used to create the filling can be quite brittle. Tooth-colored fillings, like ceramic fillings, are especially brittle. These fillings can compromise the strength and integrity of your tooth, resulting in hairline cracks of fractures in the enamel. If you notice any cracks or fractures branching out from an existing filling, these could be signs of recurrent decay.
When the enamel is cracked, tiny crevices that allow bacteria to enter the interior of the tooth are formed. More bacteria often means more decay, so you should have your dentist clean out the old filling (and any new decay present) and replace it to avoid recurrent decay.
3. Sensitivity
Healthy teeth are able to withstand exposure to changes in temperature without causing physical discomfort. If you notice that a tooth that has previously been filled suddenly hurts when coming into contact with hot or cold foods, you might be suffering from recurrent decay.
Experts know that tooth decay, cracks or fractures in the tooth's enamel, and worn fillings can all cause an increase in sensitivity to temperature. Be sure to let you dentist know if an old filling becomes more sensitive so that recurrent decay within the tooth can be treated as quickly as possible.
Taking the time to recognize recurrent decay could help you save a tooth that has been filled previously. Having a general dentist replace the old filling with a new one is more cost effective that extraction and replacement, but recurrent decay must be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid irreversible damage.
Share13 February 2015
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.