Dental fillings can repair cavities and also protect the rest of your tooth. But fillings do not last forever. Every day, your teeth handle pressure from chewing, biting, and sometimes grinding. Over time, this wear can weaken or damage a filling, allowing bacteria to enter around or beneath it.
Spotting a worn filling early can help you avoid bigger dental work. A failing filling left untreated can expose the tooth layers underneath to bacteria.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Your filling’s lifespan depends mostly on the material. Silver fillings can last 10 to 15 years. Tooth-colored composite looks natural. However, it usually needs replacing much sooner. Often, this happens within 5 to 7 years.
Most fillings last 5 to 15 years. Your daily habits, though, can change that timeline. Brushing and flossing help the filling last. Grinding your teeth, on the other hand, wears it down fast.
Common Signs Your Dental Filling May Need Replacement
A filling can wear down slowly over months. It can also crack suddenly while you eat. Catching these signs mentioned below can help you get treatment on time.
Sharp Temperature Sensitivity
A flash of pain from hot coffee or an iced drink is often the first sign. A filling can pull away from the tooth. When it does, it leaves the nerves underneath more open to temperature changes.
Discomfort When You Chew
Biting down puts uneven pressure on a loose filling. As a result, it can shift slightly in place. This shift presses on the tooth layers beneath it. That pressure can cause pain.
This pain usually happens only while you eat. That’s because chewing changes how the filling sits against the tooth.
Cracks or Chips
Even a tiny crack can break the seal around the filling. You might feel a sharp edge with your tongue. You may also notice a small piece missing when you look in the mirror.
Once the seal breaks, food bits and saliva can get in underneath.
A Loose or Missing Filling
A loose filling often feels strange or unstable when you eat. Unlike slow wear, this can happen fast. The filling may even fall out. If it does, you will feel a gap right away.
Visible Wear and Aging
Slow wear looks different from a sudden loss. Fillings can wear down over time. As they do, the edges can lift or change shape. Composite fillings often stain and darken. Older silver fillings may look worn or show gaps at the edges.
Dark Stains Around the Edges
Bacteria and moisture can get into the gap once the seal breaks. Brushing often cannot reach inside this gap to clear it out.
Over time, bacteria trapped beneath the filling can produce acids that damage the surrounding enamel. This can leave dark stains along the filling’s edge. These stains can be a sign of new decay under the old filling.
Food Constantly Getting Trapped
Food may start getting stuck in the same spot each time you eat. If so, the shape of your filling has likely changed. This creates a small pocket where plaque can build up.
A Rough or Uneven Surface
Your teeth should feel smooth when you run your tongue over them. If one spot feels rough or uneven, the filling is likely breaking down.
Left alone, this rough spot can irritate your tongue or cheek over time.
A New Cavity Under the Old One
Bacteria can slip beneath a loose or worn filling. Once inside, they can cause new decay under the old one. This often needs quick attention from a dentist.
Protect Your Tooth With Timely Care
Left alone, small changes in a filling can let bacteria multiply. A worn filling often lets decay spread, which can sometimes mean more complex treatment.
Watching for these signs early helps you catch problems sooner. To schedule an evaluation, call Brookshire Smile Dental at (281) 934-1010.