Dental Health and Dental Fillings: Crucial Things You Need to Know About Dental Fillings

Tooth decay is the most common dental problem and one of the leading causes of tooth loss. There are various treatments for dental decay, and one of the most common ones is dental fillings. In this blog, we will discuss dental fillings in detail to help you make an informed decision.

What Causes Cavities?

First, let us understand the basics of dental decay. Decay is caused by bacteria in our mouths. Our mouths contain bad and good bacteria. The good bacteria help with digestion, while the bad bacteria cause cavities.

When bad bacteria meet with food particles, they form acids. These acids attack the enamel, causing holes, which refer to as cavities. Dental fillings fill the holes, restoring the functionality of the tooth.

How Can You Prevent Cavities

The best way to prevent cavities is by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth after every meal and floss every night before sleeping. If you can, use mouthwash every night. Mouthwashes contain antibacterial elements that can help fight cavity-causing bacteria.

Finally, visit the cosmetic dentist Bellaire every six months. Some areas in the mouth are hard-to-reach, and plaque usually builds up in such areas. Dentists clean such areas thoroughly, eliminating plaque buildup.

Types of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are available in various materials, including amalgam (silver), ceramic, porcelain, hard-resin, and gold. Each material is unique and has pros and cons.

Amalgam fillings are the most common, and they are cheap and durable. However, they are not aesthetic and are often used for back teeth.

Porcelain/ceramic fillings are aesthetic since they can be designed to match the color of your teeth. They are durable, although not as durable as metal (gold) fillings. However, they are slightly more expensive than the rest. They are also not the best option for back teeth since they cannot withstand the chewing pressure for a long time.

Composite resin fillings are cheap and aesthetic. However, they are prone to chips and breakages. For that reason, they are only recommended for front teeth. Talk to us if you require dental fillings near you in Bellaire, TX.

Do Tooth Fillings Hurt?

Treating tooth decay used to be painful, but not anymore, thanks to sedation. The procedure is fast, pain-free, and will not take more than one visit to the dentist in Bellaire. Sometimes, the dentist may even not need to use anesthesia.

If the tooth is severely decayed, the dentist will sedate you before drilling a hole into the affected tooth. He will then remove the decayed parts and fill the hole with the tooth filling material of your choice.

We highly recommend coming with someone to drive you home if the dentist needs to sedate you. The sedation stays in the blood for up to 36 hours, and it can affect your decision making. Driving under the influence of sedation can increase the risk of a car accident. If you have no one to drive you, call a cab. We are here for you if you are looking for dental fillings near you in Texas.

Common Problems Facing Dental Fillings

Like other dental clinic near me procedures, dental fillings are not perfect. They are faced with a few problems, but luckily, most of them disappear within a week or two. These problems include:

• Tenderness after the treatment: After the treatment, you will experience increased sensitivity and tenderness on the target tooth. The tenderness lasts for a few days, but if the pain persists, please schedule a follow-up appointment.
• Toothache pain: If the decay is deeper than initially thought, you will continue feeling pain even after the procedure. If that’s the case, only root canal therapy can save the tooth.
• Surrounding teeth feel pain: This is not uncommon, but it should disappear after a few days. The pain is also not intense.
• Wearing down of the filling: Dental fillings don’t last forever, so they need replacement after a couple of years, depending on the material used.

If dental fillings fail to solve your decay problem, your dentist will recommend a root canal near me. It is the last resort of saving a natural tooth. If it fails, the dentist will have to extract the tooth to prevent the decay from spreading to the surrounding teeth.

Tara Dental Group (TDG)

If you are looking for dental fillings in Bellaire, TX, you are in the right place. We assure you of high-quality services and pocket-friendly prices. Book an appointment today.