How Dental Fillings Protect Your Teeth
Dental Fillings
According to Alvin and the Chipmunks, all they want for Christmas are their two front teeth. This popular holiday song was released in 1958 and has been a staple of Christmas music ever since. If you have teeth problems, you do not have to wait for Santa to fix them because you have your dentist to do that.
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures besides teeth cleanings. But did you know that these simple treatments can help prevent tooth decay? Dental Fillings are meant to replace the damaged tooth structure due to dental decay/ tooth chips or tooth fracture. Fillings are made of various materials: gold, silver, composite resin, and porcelain.
Fillings are placed in the teeth to help restore their strength and structure. They protect the teeth from further damage.
When the dental filling is placed, the dentist will first clean out the damaged area of the tooth, removing any decay. Once the tooth is cleaned, the dentist would then place a filling material and then shape it and then harden the material and check the bite to make sure it is balanced when you chew on.
How It Works
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures. They are used to treating cavities and other damage to the teeth. Fillings also act by sealing the cavity, so it doesn’t act as a trap for bacteria and food particles. Amalgam and composite are two types of dental filling. The former is made of silver, mercury, and copper. Composite fillings are made of a resin material that’s polymerized to match your tooth’s color.
Fillings are usually placed in the back teeth, which are not as visible. However, they can be placed in any tooth that needs repair. The procedure is generally done in one visit to the dentist.
Fillings are long-lasting if you take good care of your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent secondary decay and need to replace fillings.
How Decay progresses
Tooth decay is caused by numerous factors, including bacteria in your mouth, sugary or acidic foods, and poor oral hygiene. Sugar rich foods act as a substrate for bacteria that produce acid by feeding on this sugar. These acids then attack your teeth’ enamel or hard outer layer.
Over time, the acids can break down the enamel and create a hole, or cavity, in your tooth. The cavities can then get more extensive and deeper, once enamel is dissolved due to acid attack, it becomes easier for bacteria to go deeper into the inner layer of tooth, dentin and ultimately close to pulp.
. If your tooth decay is not treated, it can eventually involve the tooth nerve, called dental pulp. That’s when the tooth starts hurting and gives a toothache. It may further lead to an abscess, an accumulation of pus around the tooth due to infection.
Type of dental fillings explained
Gold fillings :
Direct filling gold or gold fillings are considered the best material for dental fillings. Given the inert noble nature of gold, these fillings last a long time but are on the expensive end are technique sensitive.
Silver fillings :
Silver Amalgam is an alloy that has been a standard of dental fillings for decades. These fillings are long-lasting and were the most commonly used filling material before composite material. In recent years, the inclination towards silver filling has gone down with the advent of tooth colored aesthetic filling materials as composite that are not only tooth colored but also very conservative.
Composite resin fillings :
Composite fillings are the latest tooth fillings. These are tooth colored and bonded fillings that are long-lasting and match tooth color, so there’s a growing demand towards this modern filling material. With the new developments, these materials can have special fillers that help prevent tooth decay, too.
Science behind fillings preventing tooth loss
As fillings are used to replace the defective part of the tooth with an inert material, it stops bacterial activity and ultimately prevents further harm to the tooth. If a tooth is left untreated, it may ultimately lead to loss of tooth and cause infection.
Several types of fillings are available, each with its indications. The filling best for you will depend on your tooth’s damage, budget, and personal preferences.
Conclusion
Dental filling is a gold standard in preventing tooth loss and maintaining healthy teeth. They can help to protect your teeth from decay by sealing off the tooth’s surface and preventing bacteria from getting in. Fillings can also help to support the tooth and make it stronger. If you have a cavity, getting it filled as soon as possible is vital to prevent further damage to the tooth.
If you have teeth problems, you should consult Royal East Dental. We provide dental fillings to Dundas residents, which perfected our patients’ smiles. So, schedule an appointment now!