What Can I Do If I Have a Toothache Near an Old Cavity? Does My Dental Filling Need To Be Replaced?

Posted on November 4, 2016

Watch Video: Dr. Antigone Skoulas explains what to do when you have a cavity and the process of getting it filled.

When you have a toothache, it can be a pretty unpleasant experience. While your first initial reaction is to think it’s another cavity, there may also be other reasons behind this pain. If you have had a cavity in this area before, the problem can be easily identified. Several San Francisco patients come to trained dentist professional Dr. Skoulas for advice on this matter. With dental fillings, the old cavity was fixed, but it doesn’t mean that the pain or the same dental issues can’t come back.

You may have struggled in the past or have had trouble with dental hygiene and accumulated a few cavities. The good news is that it’s completely normal. Many San Francisco patients have cavities for various reasons which include but are not limited to poor brushing, lack of flossing, sugary diets, and more. When you have a cavity, typically your dentist will provide you with dental fillings to fix the problem. Usually, after you receive the filling, the cavity is gone, and patients deem their problem solved. However, this isn’t always the case.

Why San Francisco Patients May Need Dental Fillings

When you start feeling pain near the area of an old cavity, it’s always a red flag. Typically, this means you should see your dentist as soon as possible to fix the problem. Most likely, your dentist will tell you that you need a new dental filling for the cavity. Over time, your filling can break down, or a hole can form that will allow your cavity to become exposed. This usually is the cause of the intense tooth pain that you’ve been feeling.

Related Post: Why You May Need a Filling Even If Your Tooth Does Not Hurt

If you’re unsure, here are a couple of signs that you may need replacement dental fillings: