Vijay Patel Vijay Patel Asked 9 months ago

Can cavities come back after filling?

I had a cavity filled a few years ago, but now I'm feeling some sensitivity in that same tooth again. Does this mean the cavity has come back? Can cavities come back after filling?

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12 answers

Siddharth Deshmukh Siddharth Deshmukh Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago
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Don't believe anyone online saying you can prevent recurrent cavities with some magic oil pulling. If a filling leaks or decays again, only a professional dentist can detect and fix it. Always verify with your doctor.

Anil Kulkarni Anil Kulkarni Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Yes, they can come back if we don't clean properly around the edges of the filling. A simple solution is to brush twice daily and do a warm salt water rinse after meals. It costs nothing and saves you from paying for another dental visit.

Karan Mehra Karan Mehra Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Yes, new decay can sometimes form around an old filling. Please don't worry, just keep up with regular brushing and have a dentist check it if you feel any sensitivity.

Hariharan Iyer Hariharan Iyer Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Take care of your health with a positive mind. Fillings protect the tooth, but we must still maintain regular cleanliness so decay does not return. Stay peaceful and let a professional guide you.

Rahul Verma Rahul Verma Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Yes, cavities can recur under or around old fillings. Maintaining good overall health through regular exercise and a low-sugar diet helps your body fight oral bacteria. Keep up your active lifestyle and visit your dentist regularly.

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Devendra Joshi Devendra Joshi Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

In my sixty years, I have seen a couple of my old fillings develop decay at the margins. It is very common as fillings age and wear out. Don't worry, the dentist can easily clean and replace them.

Sanjana Sen Sanjana Sen Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

Hey, don't worry. It's called recurrent decay and it happens when plaque builds up around the edges of the filling. Just maintain a good brushing routine, floss regularly, and let your dentist check it during your routine visits.

Sanjeev Chawla Sanjeev Chawla Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Yes, they definitely can. I ignored some mild sensitivity under an old filling, thinking it was fine, and ended up needing a painful root canal because the decay had returned underneath. Get it checked by a dentist immediately if you feel anything.

Nikhil Deshmukh Nikhil Deshmukh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Honestly, the thought of cavities returning even after a painful filling is so stressful! It makes me feel like my dental hygiene is never enough. But don't worry too much, just keep brushing and visit your dentist for peace of mind.

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Riya Das Riya Das Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Oh, I thought once a tooth is filled, it is safe forever. How long do these fillings usually last before they start getting cavities again, and how do we know if it is happening?

Savitri Devi Savitri Devi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Beta, if you eat too many sweets and do not clean your mouth properly after meals, the decay can return under the filling. You can rinse with warm salt water after eating to keep the area clean, but always consult a doctor if you feel pain.

Kriti Joshi Kriti Joshi Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Yes, unfortunately, they can sneak back if we aren't careful! 😅 The borders of the filling can get micro-gaps over time where bacteria hide. Keep brushing twice and stay happy! ✨

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