According to the U.S. CDC, adults aged 20 to 64 with at least one filled tooth had an average of six filled teeth. The number increases to 9.3 in adults 65 and older. Many also had missing teeth due to oral diseases: an average of 2 in the younger adult population and 6.4 among seniors. 

Considering the prevalence of adults with a dental filling, chances are you also have at least one. However, as beneficial as tooth fillings are for protecting against further disease and decay, they don't last forever. For this reason, knowing the signs of a failing dental filling is imperative because the longer it remains unaddressed, the likelier it will lead to more problems, including tooth loss. 

To that end, the caring team at A+ Family Dentistry put together this guide explaining the signs of failing dental fillings. Please read on to learn how to determine if you need to seek help from a reliable Sorrento Valley, San Diego, or Poway, CA, dentist. 

1. Heightened Tooth Sensitivity

Temperature sensitivity is one of the earliest signs of a failing dental filling. If eating hot or cold food and drinks is uncomfortable or painful, especially around the area where you have a filled tooth, take it as an indication you need new dental fillings in California. Do the same if you experience tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking something sweet.

In such cases, a failing dental filling can increase tooth sensitivity by allowing hot or cold temperatures to reach the tooth's nerves. Sweet foods or drinks can also cause sensitivity by stimulating the tooth's nerve and pulp.

If you experience this symptom, please don't delay scheduling an appointment with one of the nearest Sorrento Valley, San Diego, or Poway California dentists in your area.

Your oral healthcare provider will examine your tooth to confirm if your filling is going bad. If the problem is due to a severely failed or old restoration, your dentist will discuss your dental filling options. If the sensitivity you experience is due to something else (e.g., gum disease or a new cavity on a different tooth), your dentist will inform you of your treatment choices.

2. Toothaches

According to a February 2024 report by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, oral health problems cause U.S. adults to miss a staggering 243 million hours of work or school annually. Oral pain or unplanned dental visits are among the most commonly cited reasons, accounting for 182.6 million hours. 

All those stats and facts should tell you how intense and painful toothaches can be. They can occur if a tooth filling fails, including indirect restorations like inlays and onlays. 

If a failed dental filling no longer provides a tight seal, it can cause toothaches. Cracks, gaps, or holes in the material can allow bacteria to penetrate and reach the inner parts of the tooth, including the nerve and pulp. Bacterial invasion can then irritate and inflame these areas, resulting in pain. 

Failing dental fillings can also lead to secondary tooth decay. The bacteria that has entered the tooth can attack other areas, causing new cavities or worsening existing ones. If this happens, you'll likely experience more toothaches or may even need more extensive treatment.

For those reasons, please don't delay scheduling an appointment with one of your area's closest dentists in San Diego, Poway, or Sorrento Valley. The sooner an oral healthcare provider determines you have a failed filling, the sooner they can replace it and prevent the decay from worsening.

3. Pain When Biting or Chewing

A failing tooth filling can cause pain when biting or chewing by:

• Leaving exposed areas of the tooth susceptible to pressure from mouth actions
• Irritating the tooth's sensitive nerves and pulp
• Allowing food debris and bacteria to access the tooth's interior

If you experience this symptom, take it as your cue to visit a dentist in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, or Poway near you. The dental professional may still be able to save your tooth by replacing the failed filling.

4. Bad Breath

As mentioned above, a failing dental filling allows bacteria to enter through cracks, gaps, or holes. Once germs enter the tooth, they can accumulate and thrive within. They will decompose food particles trapped inside the filling, producing foul-smelling compounds.

All of this can result in bad breath that won't go away no matter how much you brush your teeth or gargle mouthwash. You may also notice a bad taste in your mouth.

So, as soon as you notice the signs above, schedule a dental appointment ASAP. Prompt treatment can make the difference between needing a new filling and requiring more extensive dental work to replace missing teeth.

5. Visible Cracks or Chips

The most obvious sign a dental filling has gone bad is if it has visible damage, such as:

• Cracks
• Chips
• Holes or missing areas

Such damages may occur due to regular wear and tear; the filling may have failed because of old age (e.g., you've had it for several years). Please get it replaced as soon as possible by an experienced dentist in Poway, San Diego, or Sorrento Valley.

Aside from age, accidental damage can result in a failed tooth filling. Examples include physical trauma (such as from a fall or a hit to the face) and biting down on hard or crunchy foods. Regardless of the cause, please visit a trusted and reliable California general dentistry office offering urgent or emergency services without delay.

Prompt Dental Filling Replacement Can Save Your Tooth

Tooth sensitivity, toothaches, pain when you bite, bad breath, and visible damage are all typical signs of a failing dental filling. The good news is that you may only need a filling replacement, provided you see a dentist immediately.

If you experience one or more of the signs above, please know that the highly experienced, caring dentists and staff at A+ Family Dentistry are always ready and happy to help! Our team of compassionate dental professionals has served the San Diego, Poway, and Sorrento Valley communities for over 20 years.

Connect with us today, and we'll promptly restore your failed dental filling and help you get your oral health back on track!