A habit is an action we perform so frequently that it doesn’t require any thought. A common habit for instance is smoking. In this case, they’re known as oral fixations, when a person tends to form habits that include their mouths.

Getting a white filling is about restoration and aesthetics, it’s redundant to try to fix something if you are going to damage it later. By avoiding the habits stated below, you can prolong the duration of your filling, and maintain its aesthetic appeal.

What habits should I avoid?

Habits that involve the mouth can be detrimental to your white fillings and the rest of your mouth. It’s important to be aware of the habits that can harm your mouth and affect the aesthetics of your teeth and fillings.

Here are some of the most common habits that are likely to ruin your teeth:

• Smoking
• Teeth grinding
• Biting nails
• Sucking thumbs
• Using teeth to open things like packets or canned drinks.
• Chewing pencils and pens
• Not wearing a mouthguard when partaking in sports.
• Mouth piercings, tongue, cheeks, smiley…
• Using a toothpick
• Not flossing
• Drinking and eating highly pigmented foods
• Brushing too hard

What can I do to change my habits?

Changing habits, diets and behaviours can be tricky, especially when we’re not actively thinking about what we’re doing without mouths. The best approach to ensure your fillings stay unscathed is to reduce or replace the behaviour.

For example, if somebody has a pen-chewing habit. It’s likely stemming from boredom or anxiety. The approach taken is different depending on the cause, but let’s take chewing a pen because anxiety is the example. The patient would be advised to practice calming techniques that do not depend on physical activity (like chewing the pen) to relieve the built-up emotion.

Getting into the habit of wearing a mouthguard both for sport and sleeping can be a fantastic tool to prevent and limit teeth grinding.

Children who suck their thumbs will need verbal reassurances when trying to stop thumb sucking, that being praising positive behaviours. There are also products like thumb covers which are used to inhibit the ability to thumb-suck. This may be more effective with a child who persistently sucks their thumb.

Adapting your diet can be a great way to prevent staining on your white fillings. Making sure your sugar intake falls within the advised adult/child intake. This will reduce the chances of plaque or decay.

Using tools to clean your teeth is important, but selecting the right one is the most essential part. For instance, a toothpick may force food further in between the gums, whilst a floss I able to work out any debris from between teeth.

By adopting the technique and tips provided, you can ensure any white filling you is going to have the best chance at staying in the mouth and staying the same shade.

If you’re interested in our white filling treatment, contact us for a consultation and we’d be happy to explore your options.