How to care for tooth fillings
You must exercise proper dental hygiene habits if you want to keep your fillings in place:
- Routinely (twice a year) see the dentist for cleanings.
- Use fluoride-containing toothpaste to brush.
- Make sure to floss [3] every day.
See your doctor when you notice any of the following:
- You have a really sensitive tooth.
- A sharp edge is detectable.
- If a filling is cracked or if a piece is missing, you may see it.
If your dentist thinks one of your fillings may be fractured or “leaking” (when the edges of the filling don’t fit securely against the tooth, debris and saliva can seep down between the filling and the tooth, which causes decay), he or she will take X-rays.