Proper dental hygiene is essential for cavity prevention, but tooth decay can still occur due to factors like increased sugar intake and soft enamel. Dental fillings provide cavity solutions for decay that's not severe and doesn't require root canal services. If you need one or more fillings, learn about the type of materials available and how to maintain yours. 

What Are the Types of Fillings?

Also known as amalgam fillings, silver fillings feature a variety of other metals, typically zinc, copper, tin, and mercury. These options last 15 years or longer, and though they offer durability and affordability, there's no way to match the color of your surrounding teeth. For this reason, they're most often used in the back teeth.

Amalgam fillings can expand from temperature fluctuations and cause tooth cracks. Expansions can also create gaps between the filling and natural tooth material that accumulate bacteria and cause further decay. 

Gold fillings offer durability and strength benefits, but they're also not available in a natural tooth color. They're more expensive than other options, but they can last 20 years or more with the right dental hygiene practices.  

Both composite resin and porcelain fillings match natural tooth colors for seamless blending. Consisting of soft resin and plastic materials, these fillings require curing with blue light and last five to 10 years. Porcelain fillings last the same amount of time and are harder than composite resin options, making them ideal for back molars that endure chewing-related impacts. 

How Can You Make Your Fillings Last Longer?

Good dental hygiene contributes significantly to longevity. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and floss once a day to prevent food particles, bacteria, acids, and plaque from building up. Poor dental care and frequent sugary snack consumption cause filling materials to deteriorate prematurely. 

White filling materials also stain without diligent dental hygiene. Avoid or limit staining foods and beverages, such as beets, tea, coffee, red wine, and tomato sauce, to keep your fillings bright. Healthy diet choices help fillings last since they don't cause significant bacterial accumulation and can even clean teeth. Apples, carrots, and celery are among the foods that scrape plaque and bacteria from the mouth as you chew. It also helps to abstain from smoking since tobacco stains white fillings and natural teeth. 

Discuss the right fillings for your dental health with William U. Britton, DDS, MAGD, to maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. The general dentistry practice provides a wide range of dental care services to residents throughout Jackson and Chillicothe, OH, including tooth extractions, root canals, custom mouthguards, and teeth whitening. Call (740) 772-222 today to make an appointment or review their services online. Like the Facebook page for more dental hygiene tips.