All That You Need to Know About Dental Fillings
(Part 1)
Allow me to start a new topic which is quite familiar to you dear readers as this is one of the most common dental procedures being performed on dental patients. The topic is on dental fillings.
Dental fillings are used to treat dental caries, or tooth decay and/or cavities.
Cavities are caused by acid produced by the waste products from bacteria that is found in the mouth that feed on sugar and starch that remain on the teeth after one has eaten.
The possible presence of bacteria in the mouth is one reason we should watch our diet and reduce intake of sugary and starchy food since tooth decay may result as a consequence of the acid from the bacteria’s waste products.
To avoid dental caries or cavities, one should also practice good dental hygiene to lower risks of dental issues.
The dentist will start by removing the decayed portion of an affected tooth and put fillings on it. The filling is made of different materials depending on the extent of the decay, what type of tooth is affected, and whether or not the tooth is visible when you smile.
So what is a dental filling?
Dental filling is used to repair decayed teeth due to oral acidity. Tooth fillings are used to fill in the holes that emerge as a result of the dental treatment by the dentist. Tooth that has been abused such as eating cracker nuts, bruxism or tooth grinding, and nail biting, is a candidate for tooth filling.
Your dentist will ultimately decide which type of filling is best suited for your specific situation or dental problem. He/she can also suggest putting on crowns, bridges, or veneers if fillings aren’t enough to save your smile.
Next week, we will continue our discussion on dental fillings by making a deeper dive on this topic.