Most visits to the dentist are for standard cleaning and whitening procedures, but sometimes cavities and fillings become the focus of your visit. While there are many ways to prevent cavities, most people find it difficult to avoid them altogether — did you know that more than 90% of adults have a filling? In today’s blog post, Parkcrest Dental Group provides a beginner’s guide to dental fillings, the most common solution to cavities.
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities don’t just happen all at once. There are stages of cavity formation, beginning when bacteria damage the surface of your enamel and spread deeper into the tooth. When sugars are not cleaned off of your teeth, bacteria feed on the sugar and produce acids that eat away your enamel and create plaque. When plaque forms, it creates a protective habitat for bacteria, which continues to eat away at your enamel and then further into the tooth itself, causing a cavity.
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What Are Fillings Made Of?
Fillings are usually the best and easiest way to fix a cavity. There are several types of fillings, but the two most common are amalgam and composite. Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of several metallic elements, making them strong and suitable to fill cavities. Composite fillings are a combination of glass or quartz that can also be made to match the color of your tooth. These are durable and are one of the most popular ones today due to the fact that they match the look of your natural teeth. Other less common types of fillings include gold, ceramic, and glass ionomer.
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How to Take Care of Your Fillings
Once you have received your fillings, it is crucial that you take proper care of them. You might have some sensitivity immediately after receiving a filling, but that typically goes away after a few days or even a few hours. To maintain your filling and protect it from decay, proper oral care is key. For several days after you receive your filling, avoid sticky, chewy, or gummy foods. Proper daily dental care is important, including flossing once a day and brushing twice a day with enamel repair toothpaste.
Contact Parkcrest Dental Group for More Information
If you are concerned about a cavity, Parkcrest Dental Group can help. We are here for you, with advanced treatment solutions to prevent and treat cavities. For more information on how we can help, give us a call at (417) 887-1220 or contact us online today.
