Why do I need a filling?

Why do I need a filling?

Post by : Dr Jack Connan BDS GDC No. 277529 | 14 December 2019

Why do I need a filling? Well… teeth cavities are the leading contributor to getting tooth fillings and they can sometimes cost a pretty penny! However, a filling can help to prevent toothaches and further teeth decay. In this blog post, we will look at how the cavities form, why they need treatment, and how to prevent dental cavities in the future.

If you have ever had a bit of a sugary tooth, or forget about the hygiene of your teeth, you put yourself at risk of developing teeth cavities. If you get cavities you could be looking at teeth cavity treatment, which consists of a filling to fill the space in your tooth. If you ever need any type of filling, it could be costly. This is something that no one wants to pay for or have to go through, so further in this article I will discuss how to prevent cavities too.

What are fillings?

You might be asking yourself, what is the stuff they put in my teeth? Well, there are a variety of different mixtures that dentists use for cavity fillings: Amalgam – a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Composite – which is powdered glass and ceramic added to a resin base. And glass ionomer – powdered glass which chemically reacts with your tooth and bonds to it. You can find more information on the subject here from the NHS.

There is a step by step process that the dentist will go through to make sure the filling is done right. Firstly, they will take a look and observe the spots in which the decay is present. Then they will X-ray your teeth which can show the enamel decay from the sides of your teeth. They will cut away any of the decay of your teeth with a drill; it will only last a short time so don’t worry about it too much. Once the decay has been removed they may then put a fluoride solution on it to prevent more decay. Finally, they will apply the mixture to the cavity filling.

What causes cavities?

The initial cause of cavities is the bacteria eating away at your enamel in your teeth. If you don’t keep your teeth very clean or miss some spots when brushing then it can lead to cavities. Here are some of the signs that can help prevent teeth cavity treatment:

Taking in lots of sugar

Taking in more sugar than you are recommended on a regular basis can be a great source of food for the bacteria, to help it grow and eat away your tooth. Sugar by itself isn’t only bad for your teeth it is also bad for your general health. So, it’s probably best to cut down as much as possible.

Foods that have high acidity

Acidic foods and drinks can sometimes be the real culprit for the cavities in your teeth. If you are drinking lots of fizzy drinks, lemonade, or cranberry juice. Also, if you are eating certain fruits, vinegar, or certain dairy products. Try to avoid eating them frequently if you think that you are at risk of developing cavities.

You don’t brush or floss enough

This is probably the most influential cause towards teeth cavities and has the most impact on the state of your teeth. You have to make sure that you brush for 2minutes 2 times a day and floss the right way. If notice any developing cavities, make sure to brush your teeth and go to see a dentist about it straight away.

How can you treat cavities?

If you notice that you are developing cavities, then there are a selection of things that you can do to prevent them. As mentioned above, you need to avoid high amounts of sugar and acidic food, and regularly brush your teeth. This will prevent any further damage to the cavities before you get them checked up by a dentist. If you avoid treating your cavities, then you might have to turn to dental restoration methods. Teeth cavity treatment is essential for preventing anymore damage than has already been done.

One way that you prevent this is with cavity fillings, which is a form of teeth cavity treatment. This is where the dentist will clean the inside of the cavity and then proceed to add in the filling mixture that will slowly harden. This is a very effective dental restoration tactic for the cavity and can reduce the amount of tooth aces that occur.

Another way that you can prevent teeth cavities is by brushing your teeth the right way. We have a great article that tells you all about how to avoid cavities all together and goes into more detail about the subject here. Preventing yourself from getting teeth fillings is a good thing to keep in mind while keeping up with your dental hygiene.

How to tell if you need a filling?

Going back to the question. Why do I need a filling? There are a few tell-tell signs that you might need to get a tooth filling. One of the most obvious ways that you can tell is that your tooth will start aching and it won’t stop. This is because the bacteria is digging into the tooth and hitting the nerves. You should immediately book an appointment with your local dentist to stop any further damage to the tooth and consult for dental restoration.

Where can I get a filling?

At Surbiton Dental we have trained professionals for tooth fillings and teeth cavity treatment.  We know how irritating it is to have a teeth cavity, so we want to help in any way we can. Dental restoration should be a priority if you have any toothaches or cavities that need filling. If you need any help with cavity fillings, then you can get in touch with Surbiton Dental today. You can call us on 020 8399 4311, use our Contact Form, or get in touch by emailing us at info@surbitondental.co.uk today…