The days following a dental procedure to fill a cavity can feel strange. You might feel some grittiness on your teeth, and you might even notice that your bite is a bit off. These things are often normal.

On the other hand, you might also notice some signs that the filling is failing. In other cases, the filling could be years old before you notice these signs. If you notice them, it's probably time to get a new filling put in place. To learn more, read on or visit a dental office near you.

Dental Sensitivity

You might first notice that your teeth are becoming sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. This can happen when the filling is loose, cracked, or broken, and air is getting into the space on your tooth.

Changing Colors

If you look closely at your filling, you might also notice that it looks discolored or stained. This could be a sign that bacteria have infiltrated the filling, and they may be causing decay in your tooth.

Food Is Getting Stuck Around the Filling

If you happen to touch the surface of your teeth near the filling with your tongue, you might detect an odd taste or texture. This could indicate that food particles are getting stuck in the area, which means that your filling isn't doing its job of protecting the space around your tooth.

Missing Filling

In some cases, the filling may simply be gone. It's possible that it fell out without you even noticing. You might feel the empty area with your tongue, or you might notice a change in the shape of your tooth.

Old Fillings

Even if you don't notice any of these signs, it's still possible that your filling needs to be replaced. If your filling is more than 10 years old, your dentist may want to replace them. In fact, some dentists prefer to replace fillings even when they aren't causing significant dental issues.

Pain

Another sign that you need a new filling is if you experience pain when pressure is applied to the area. This could mean that there's something else going on with your mouth, or it could be as simple as a crack in your filling.

Call Your Dentist to Discuss New Fillings

If you notice any of these signs, it's best to contact a dentist right away so that they can replace the filling before decay sets in and causes serious damage. The sooner you get it taken care of, the better.