Pay attention when you bite into any cold, hot, or sweet foods. You may feel momentary sensitivity or pain after they contact your tooth, which could be a sign of a filling needing replaced. [5] X Research source Be aware that your tooth may also be sensitive to touch either by your finger, toothbrush, or other dental tool. If you have sensitivity, use a fluoride toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, like Sensodyne or Pronamel. [6] X Research source Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dentist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.

Chew slowly if you detect any pressure when biting down on food. This may help you more easily identify which filling is potentially problematic.

Winter and cold air can also make your tooth more sensitive than usual indicating the need for a new filling.

If the pain lasts for too long, pulp can develop an irreversible pulpitis, which eventually leads to a necrosis where no pus is involved or an abscess.

Note which tooth either shreds the floss or always seems to have food stuck in it. This can help your dentist better identify which filling needs replacement, but in cases like this an x-ray is almost always a must.

Keep an eye on the tooth and notice if anything makes the roughness worse or better. If it doesn’t get any smoother, let you dentist know.

Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before putting them in or near your mouth. This can minimize your risk of introducing harmful bacteria into your mouth.

Use your tongue to identify any sharp edges or missing structures. Food that gets stuck in daily is also a sign that your old filling needs replacement Be aware that cracks and chips may be so small that you can’t detect them with your eye alone. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before looking for chipped or fractured teeth. This can prevent an infection.

Gold fillings, which can last for up to 15 years. Amalgam fillings, which are silver in color, can also last up to 15 years. Composite fillings, made of a material that matches your own tooth color, may need replacing after five years. Ceramic fillings can last about 7 years.

Let the scheduling staff know why you need to see the dentist. They may be able to get you an appointment sooner rather than later.

Be precise when explaining your symptoms of signs to the dentist. This can help your dentist better determine if the filling needs replaced. For example, “I get a sharp pain that hurts my entire tooth. ” Allow your dentist to probe your mouth with a tool called an explorer. This will gently probe the tooth and filling to detect any worn spots.

An X-ray is necessary to see if there’s recurrent decay under a filling, or to see if the margins are opened on fillings that are between teeth. [21] X Research source Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dentist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020. Recognize that your dentist may also order a periapical radiograph, another type of oral X-ray, to check that the root of your tooth is not damaged. [22] X Research source

Ask your dentist if a different filling material may suit you better if an entire filling needs replaced.