Dental health is important and that’s why it’s critical to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. But even with utmost dental care, sometimes we just can’t avoid tooth decay among other periodontal diseases. According to dental research, 74% of Americans have some form of periodontal diseases. Another study shows that tooth decay is the leading chronic disease of not just adults, but also children in America.
The good news is that are many dental treatments for various dental conditions. Dental filling is one of the treatments that has helped many people treat cavities and restore their teeth functionality. When a tooth is damaged or starts to decay, it will often start to develop tiny holes in the enamel. These holes are called cavities, and they may have different colors from yellow to black. Cavities are caused by a blend of factors such as improper brushing and flossing, constant snacking, drinking sugary beverages and bacterial build-up in your mouth.
Although dental fillings are used to treat cavities, they’re also ideal for remedying worn out teeth, broken or cracked teeth. A doctor will first identify the cavity and examine the extent of decay to determine the amount of filling required. The damaged teeth will then be cleaned and prepared for reconstructive filling. You should know that dental filling procedure is not painful considering you’ll be under local anaesthesia. Also, dentists use something called liners or bases to prevent toothaches after the procedure.
There are different kinds of tooth fillings material including gold, amalgam (a mixture of tin, copper, silver, and zinc) glass ionomer, white plastic and porcelain. Of all these materials, resin filling is considered the most effective tooth filling because of its durability and high resistance to fracture. The most expensive is obviously gold fillings, but it’s so durable that it can last up to 20 years or more.
Tooth fillings are highly recommended when a cavity is still developing. This helps to curb the problem before it worsens and spread to the neighboring teeth leading to gum infections and tooth decay. Although you may experience some tooth sensitivity following the procedure, it will eventually stop within a few weeks. But if the sensitivity persists, especially when you bite something, you need to go for another dental checkup. Normally, this is an indication that your filling is too high and needs to be leveled. Perhaps another key importance of dental fillings is mainly because it blends well with the neighboring healthy teeth. With porcelain filling, it becomes virtually impossible for anyone to notice the difference. You get to restore your smile back and feel good about yourself.
By know you understand the importance of filling. But it’s worth to understand the cause of the cavity in the first place. Could it be because of your poor oral hygiene? What about your diet and the drinks you take? Frequent snacking? When you identify the source of the problem you can easily maintain excellent oral health and future fillings. If you are considering teeth whitening, consult with your dentist. Ths is particularly important if you have cavities, crowns or gum disease.
