If you have a cavity forming in a tooth, this could cause a toothache or discomfort when you eat or drink. But we can offer relief with a filling, treating tooth decay in one sitting and even offering results that look natural. In today’s blog, Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Houston, TX, talks about placing our dental fillings!
The Causes and Dangers of a Cavity
How does a cavity form in your smile? The outside of your tooth is coated in tooth enamel, a strong material that is actually the hardest substance in the human body. But! Factors like poor brushing and flossing, combined with a diet high in sugar and starch and infrequent visits for cleanings, can allow plaque and tartar buildup to form. These layers then weaken and erode enamel to make cavities possible. Likewise, an injury to the tooth or chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) could leave you vulnerable to tooth decay.
Without treatment, decay will grow and spread until the tooth becomes infection, which elevates your discomfort and increases the risk of tooth loss. When you have sensitivity during meals or a persistent toothache, let us know right away!
Restoring Your Tooth With Dental Fillings
When we examine your tooth and find a cavity, we can offer treatment with a dental filling. The restoration only takes one visit to place, and protects your smile from infection. In addition, we use a metal-free composite resin, which can be color-matched to ensure your new restoration looks natural!
Our team will numb your tooth and gently remove all decay. We then clean the tooth and apply the filling material. As the composite resin cures under a light, we will sculpt and mold the tooth for a more attractive appearance. Finally, we will polish the tooth for a brighter appearance, so you have a lifelike solution to cavities in only one visit!
Steps to Lower Your Cavity Risk
Our team also wants to make sure you have the chance to avoid cavities when possible! For kids, we can apply fluoride or even dental sealants to the teeth to help safeguard them against tooth decay. With a cleaning every six months, we can remove the plaque and tartar that weakens enamel to keep your smile bright and strong. We can also talk about proper brushing and flossing habits, as well as healthier snacks, to help further protect your smiles, especially during the summer, when kids tend to snack more and enjoy lots of soda!
Learn More About Treating Cavities!
We want to help take on cavities and offer a healthier smile, with lifelike results. To find out more about how we treat tooth decay, or to schedule an appointment, please call Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Houston, TX at (281) 974-4494.
