{"id":229,"date":"2024-03-05T07:02:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T07:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/?p=229"},"modified":"2024-08-23T16:58:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T16:58:58","slug":"how-long-do-dental-fillings-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/how-long-do-dental-fillings-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/how-long-do-dental-fillings-last\/\" class=\"block-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"704\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dental-filling-by-Getty-Image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-230\" style=\"width:203px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dental-filling-by-Getty-Image.png 704w, https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dental-filling-by-Getty-Image-300x192.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you have a dental filling, you\u2019re not alone. In fact, according to the CDC, about&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/oralhealth\/fast-facts\/cavities\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">90% of American adults<\/a>&nbsp;have at least one dental filling. And while the majority of people have dental fillings, many people don\u2019t realize that dental fillings actually have an expiration date (which is why proper oral care is so important!).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>But, how long do they actually last, how can you make them last as long as possible, and how can you avoid them all together? Well, these are all important questions that we\u2019ll cover in this guide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long do dental fillings last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The lifespan of a dental filling depends on a variety of factors. This includes your oral hygiene and your habits. For example, clenching or grinding your teeth can cause your filling to break. Generally though, fillings may wear down or develop cracks, necessitating replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest factors that determine how long your dental filling will last, is what&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-filling#filling-materials\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">type of material<\/a>&nbsp;it is made from. Here are some of the most common materials used for dental fillings and how long they typically last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amalgam fillings \u2014 Amalgam fillings, or silver fillings, are made from a combination of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. They usually last around 5 to 25 years. They are known for being very strong, although a less aesthetic choice than materials like composite or porcelain since they don\u2019t match the color of your teeth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Composite fillings \u2014 Composite fillings are made from a mix of glass or quartz particles and acrylic resin and are tooth-colored fillings that typically last about 5 to 15 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gold fillings \u2014 Gold fillings are made from a mix of gold, copper, and other metals. They typically last around 15 to 20 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Porcelain fillings \u2014 Porcelain fillings typically last around 15 years and also have the added benefit of being natural-looking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glass ionomer fillings \u2014 Glass ionomer fillings are made from acrylic and glass material. They are commonly used for young children and typically last around five years or less, although newer ones can last longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do dental fillings need to be replaced?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dental fillings don\u2019t last forever. And when they chips, cracks, or separates from the tooth, bacteria can be trapped between the filling and tooth. Because of this, a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colgate.com\/en-us\/oral-health\/fillings\/replacing-fillings#\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">damaged filling<\/a>&nbsp;should be treated right away to avoid further damage. A damaged filling can also cause sharp pain when chewing and sensitivity to heat or cold. So, yes, dental fillings need to be replaced!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you avoid getting a dental filling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to help avoid getting a dental filling is to take care of your oral health. Some of the most&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nidcr.nih.gov\/health-info\/oral-hygiene\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">important ways<\/a>&nbsp;to do this are to :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brush your teeth at least twice a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Floss once a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get regular teeth cleanings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid smoking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eat a healthy diet and keep sugar to a minimum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use fluoride toothpaste<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you make your dental fillings last longer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your tooth is already at the point where it needs a filling, there are still things you can do to help them last longer. Most of this is going to be the same care you give your oral health to avoid getting a filling. Follow the same steps above to help your fillings last longer. Additionally, if you have bad dental habits like clenching and grinding your teeth, your dentist might recommend a mouth guard to help prevent damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visit Dr. Ruiz &amp; Associates, Inc for a dentist in Burbank, CA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The reality is that your dentist can have a big impact on the length of time your dental filling lasts. So, it\u2019s important to visit one with experience and significant expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dentist in Burbank<\/a>\u00a0that delivers exceptional care, come visit Dr. Ruiz &amp; Associates. Dr. Ruiz is a renowned dentist, educator, and researcher who is known as a pioneer in supra-gingival minimally invasive dentistry, or \u201cabove the gums dentistry.\u201d This is a healthier form of dentistry that protects soft oral tissues and produces long-lasting, beautiful results. And all of our staff are trained in these techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Dr.+Ruiz+%26+Associates,+Inc\/@34.1701356,-118.3194093,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x80c2bfe1b67f1a25:0x5c50e09ba4d4f20c!8m2!3d34.1701356!4d-118.3194093!16s%2Fg%2F1t_kgt2_?entry=ttu\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google reviews<\/a>&nbsp;and schedule an appointment with us today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you have a dental filling, you\u2019re not alone. In fact, according to the CDC, about&nbsp;90% of American adults&nbsp;have at least one dental filling. And while the majority of people have dental fillings, many people don\u2019t realize that dental fillings actually have an expiration date (which is why proper oral care is so important!).&nbsp; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/how-long-do-dental-fillings-last\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Long Do Dental Fillings Last? | Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While the majority of people have dental fillings, many people don\u2019t realize that dental fillings actually have an expiration date. In this guide, learn how long dental fillings last and how to make them last as long as possible.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/how-long-do-dental-fillings-last\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"How Long Do Dental Fillings Last? | Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"While the majority of people have dental fillings, many people don\u2019t realize that dental fillings actually have an expiration date. 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