One of things we like to do with our blog here at Christopher and Anne Thompson, DDS is explain some of the mysteries of dentistry. Fillings for example. Most people know if they go to the dentist with a cavity, they’re going to get a filling. But, beyond that, many people don’t give a second thought about fillings or how they work.
We know the general attitude toward cavities and fillings isn’t always that positive, and we believe a lot of that comes from misunderstanding them. To clear the air so cavities don’t get such a bad rap, this month we’re going to explain why dentists use fillings to fix your cavities.
The Slow Creep of Tooth Decay
Dental carries are what the general public calls cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria in your mouth that feeds on carbohydrates (sugar/starches) on your teeth. As the bacteria feeds, it produces acid, which breaks down your enamel, turns your tooth black, and causes small pits to form.
To “fix” a cavity, your dentist needs to stop the spread of decay. Dentists do this by drilling away the unhealthy part of your tooth still being eroded by bacteria, which prepares the site for a filling.
Fillings Keep Teeth Strong
When a dentist removes a tiny part of your tooth to stop the spread of a cavity, it preserves your remaining healthy tooth but leaves it vulnerable to further structural damage and infections. That’s where dental fillings come in.
Using material, usually composite resin, to fill a cavity helps maintain the integrity of the tooth’s structure so it doesn’t break or crack. It also covers any exposed nerves, so the inner part of your tooth and the root doesn’t get infected.
The Evolution of Fillings
When most adults think of a filling, they think of the shiny, silver amalgam filling. This is because for many years, fillings were primarily made of a mixture of several metals, including mercury and silver. Amalgam fillings are much less popular these days because many dentists have switched to offering composite fillings. Composite fillings are made from a resin that is applied as a paste and gets hardened quickly with a powerful UV light while you’re in the dentist’s chair. Composite fillings are usually tooth-colored and will last many years with a good oral hygiene routine.
Thanks for Reading!
Composite fillings are a powerful solution in a dentist’s toolkit for stopping tooth decay dead in its tracks. Like a root canal, many people incorrectly assume getting a filling is painful until they actually get one. Although filling cavities is one of the most common things we do as dentists, we’d love if more of our patients didn’t have to have them. The best way to avoid cavities and fillings is to do what your dentist has been telling you since you were a kid: brush twice a day and floss!
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