The most common reason for dental decay and cavities is poor oral hygiene. When caries form, they leave unsightly damage, resulting in necessary restorative care. With dental fillings, teeth can be restored to optimal functionality while also improving the aesthetics of a patient’s smile. Knowing when one is needed, however, is not always easy, which is why individuals should understand the signs.
Signs That Point to a Necessary Dental Filling
Individuals who believe they need a dental filling should first schedule an appointment with their dentist. It is during a thorough examination that the problem can be identified and treated. However, before calling to speak with a team member about getting in for necessary care, it is helpful for patients to understand the signs that point to a dental cavity. These can include:
- Intense toothache
- Sharp pain
- Increased sensitivity
- A dark spot or hole in the tooth
- Lost dental filling
- Damaged/broken tooth
Types of Materials Used for Dental Fillings
There are many different types of materials dentists use to create dental fillings. Each is effective in sealing the tooth from future reinfection and/or damage, but the aesthetics are often the reason patients choose one type over another.
When meeting with your dentist to discuss your dental filling, they will go over the available options and which one is right for you. Many professionals offer gold fillings, silver or amalgam fillings, or tooth-colored fillings. The latter is becoming more and more popular among patients, as these restorative treatments blend in with their existing teeth and provide the same great coverage, safety, and durability.
Individuals who are sensitive to metals and have allergic reactions now have a solution that makes receiving dental restorations of any kind possible.
And although tooth-colored fillings must be replaced at some point (typically a decade or more), they are affordable and allow patients to keep more of their natural tooth structure. This is vastly different from gold or silver fillings that require more of the tooth to be removed in order to make room for the filling.
Ways to Minimize the Risk of Cavities
To avoid the potential of needing a dental filling, patients are encouraged to take proper care of their teeth year-round. This can be accomplished by:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene at home that includes brushing twice a day for two minutes using fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing at least once a day before bedtime
- Rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash
- Limiting consumption of sugar and starch and instead, eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods
- Cease the practice of smoking and using tobacco products
- Never using teeth as tools, as it wears down the enamel and puts smiles at risk for decay and damage
When needing a dental filling, patients should know they have options. When working with a trusted dentist, they can be sure their teeth are in good hands and will be better protected for the future.
About the Practice
At Grand Dental – Aurora, our team consists of experts who are committed to taking care of smiles of all types. Offering restorative dentistry to repair broken and decayed smiles, dental fillings are a safe and effective way to address cavities and repair smiles to look and feel better than before. To learn more about the different materials used for dental fillings, make an appointment by visiting our website or calling (630) 538-8302.