Different filling materials

Use the pages below to learn about different filling types.

Amalgam

White (composite)

Temporary fillings can also help tide you over if a filling becomes damaged. They give you time to get a dentist appointment and have the filling repaired. Learn more about these below.

Temporary fillings

Latest

Oral Health: From Treatment to Prevention

This landmark report reflects on five decades of progress in oral health and looks ahead to the future of dentistry, prevention and public health in the UK.
Smile Month Prevention Pledge

Sign our Smile Month Prevention Pledge, to call for a healthier, fairer and more prevention-focused future.
Smile Month launches 50th campaign with nationwide Wall of Smiles celebration

The Oral Health Foundation is inviting people across the UK to share their smile and become part of a nationwide “Wall of Smiles” as Smile Month officially launches its 50th campaign today.
Fuel for Learning: A parent-led guide to healthier, happier school meals

The Oral Health Foundation is proud to support the launch of Fuel for Learning - a new, parent-led toolkit designed to help families better understand and influence what their children eat at school.

Electric toothbrushes

Discover tips and features for choosing the best electric toothbrush to suit your mouth, budget, and daily dental care routine.
ADHD and visiting the dentist

Learn how ADHD impacts dental care and find practical tips for managing oral hygiene, anxiety, and appointments effectively.
Temporary fillings

Learn why temporary fillings are used, their benefits, and how to care for them until professional dental treatment can be done.
Tooth eruption timeline

Learn how baby and adult teeth develop. Guide to ages, order, and proper care for your child's teeth.
Training cups (sippy cups)

Learn how to choose and use training cups safely to protect your child’s teeth and encourage healthy drinking habits.
How carers can support somebody’s oral health

Learn how carers can help maintain oral health, ensuring comfort, confidence, and better overall health through proper daily care and dental visits.
Teething

Learn how to ease teething discomfort and care for your baby's new teeth with soothing strategies, safe practices and expert advice.
Sugar free chewing gum

Discover how sugar-free chewing gum protects teeth, boosts saliva flow, and reduces acids after meals. Learn its uses and limits for oral health.
Quitting smoking (smoking cessation)
Mouth cancer examination

Learn why mouth cancer examination is vital, what to expect, and tips for spotting early signs to protect your oral health and overall wellbeing.

What to do after a tooth extraction

General advice about what to do after having teeth taken out. Includes what precautions you should take and things to avoid.
Burning mouth syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome can be an extremely uncomfortable condition which can have several potential causes.
Mouth ulcers

Usually red or yellow in colour, mouth ulcers are painful sores that can appear inside the mouth and also on the outer lips.
Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue is a common condition which can appear on the top and sides of the tongue, and sometimes on the under-surface.
How to spot mouth cancer

How much do you know about the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer? By being Mouthaware you can make a difference in the fight against mouth cancer.
Wisdom teeth

The wisdom teeth are the last to appear, right at the back of the mouth, often between 17 and 25 but sometime many years later.
Jaw problems and headaches

Learn about jaw issues, their causes, and treatments. Find out how bite problems impact teeth, gums, TMJ, muscles, and lead to headaches.
Cracked teeth

There are several ways in which your tooth can crack or break and it is important that you get it seen to as soon as possible.
Gum disease

Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontal disease) is swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth.
Lichen planus

Lichen planus is a disease which can affect the mouth and other areas of the body. Symptoms include white patches on the inside of the cheeks.