You brush, you floss, but plaque still finds its way into your gorgeous smile. All that plaque can all too quickly escalate and lead to cavity-causing tooth decay. As scary as it sounds, tooth decay and cavities are very common conditions in both children and adults. You’re Salinas Dentist wants you to know, in fact, almost 80 percent of Americans over the age of 17 have at least one cavity hidden in their mouth. Since cavities are such a frequent problem, an effective, simple treatment method is necessary- and dental fillings are just that.
How do fillings work?
When cavities happen, dental fillings are usually the go-to solution. Dental fillings are used to seal the hole that decay has left behind in a tooth. By sealing a tooth off, the dental filling works to block out decay and keep further damage from occurring.
Why are fillings necessary?
Fillings keep tooth decay from spreading and causing more serious dental problems. If left untreated, decay can make its way to the nerve in a tooth´s root, which can cause a great deal of pain. Aside from toothaches, if these infected holes in your teeth continue to progress, they might result in the loss of a tooth, which can cause further pain and costly procedures to remedy. In order to keep a tooth´s structure, eliminate pain, and limit damage, dental fillings are a necessity.
What does the dental filling procedure entail?
Dental fillings are a very routine and common procedure. First, your Salinas dentist will do a thorough cleaning of the cavity area while making sure that all the decay is completely removed. Then, your dentist will carefully fill, set, and finish the filling. To wrap up the procedure, your dentist will give your newly filled tooth a good polish and your tooth will be good as new!
Will dental fillings affect the appearance of my smile?
In the past, the options for dental fillings were quite limited, so most dental fillings were less than subtle. While the shiny silver amalgam that used to be one of the only materials used for fillings is still an option, many patients now opt for fillings that look more like their actual teeth. Composite resin materials can be used to make fillings that closely match your natural teeth, thus keeping from interfering with the beauty of your smile.
Dealing with tooth decay might not be your favorite past time, but it is a necessary step in taking care of your smile. Dental fillings are a lasting. effective way of keeping tooth decay from gaining momentum and limiting damage to your teeth. Taking care of your cavities with dental fillings today will keep you from enduring a lot of pain and unpleasant consequences in the future.
If you have further questions about dental fillings or any other dental concerns, call the office of Dr. Washburn, your Salinas Dentist, at (831) 758-0959.