Cavities are one of the most common dental problems and they are something we work with almost every day. Over 90% of adults in the US has had a cavity in their life–bringing to light on just how easy it can be for them to develop if you are not careful about your oral hygiene! Here at River Run Family Dentistry we encourage all of our patients to take the best care they can of their teeth.
An open cavity poses risk to the user. The risk of that area becoming infected and/or painful. In addition to this, the longer you leave a cavity untreated, the bigger it will grow, and the more opportunities bacteria have to make things significantly worse than what they already are. Luckily, there is an efficient, effective solution for treating cavities called dental fillings. You have likely heard about fillings before, perhaps you know somebody who has had dental fillings installed. We will be going over exactly what fillings are and how they are effective at treating cavities.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are usually made of composite resin, but they can also come in other types of materials such as silver amalgam and porcelain. Your choice of material affects the longevity of the filling, for example, composite resin can last upwards up 7 years while silver amalgam can last 15 years. There is something for everyone when it comes to choosing your material.
It is also worth mentioning that composite resin is also used for tooth bonding to treat a chipped tooth. The material matches the color of teeth and so it is excellent for aesthetic purposes.
Why Fillings Are Important
When a tooth developed a cavity, it is essentially hollowed out – compromising the structural integrity of it. A tooth with a cavity can lead to it easily being chipped while chewing on food. And having such a compact exposed area poses a risk of infection due to bacteria being able to collect in such a small place. It may be easy to blow off a cavity at first, but the serious oral health problems it can bring down the road are no joke.
The larger the cavity is, the less functional the tooth is. It is common for users to experience high sensitivity to hot and cold foods with a cavity that is in a “high traffic” area of the mouth. This is an effective way to tell if you might have a cavity without seeing it, if you have a cavity that is at the back of the mouth, you are unlikely to see it unless you specifically look for it. It is good to be mindful if something feels off with a tooth.
Talk to Us About Getting Fillings
If you suspect that you have a cavity or would like to get a tooth bonded. Don’t hesitate to call us at 830-387-3040. We are here to give you the best oral care in an environment that was warm and welcoming at River Run Family Dentistry. We hope to see you soon–and remember–treating dental problems as early as possible prevents them from spiraling into severe conditions that involve more extreme measures of treatment.
