| FILLINGS |
What is a cavity?
Sometimes you may have sensitivity in your teeth when you are eating food,
especially sweets, or when drinking something cold or hot. At other times you
may even notice a dark hole on your tooth. These are some of the signs of a
cavity. When the doctor feels around your teeth with their dental equipment,
cavities are one of the major problems they are looking for. Sometimes the
instruments the dentist uses may elicit a sensitivity reaction within the tooth and
you may feel a little "shock". This is a sure sign of a cavity, but it may not be
elicited at all, even though you do have a cavity.
A cavity forms from the natural bacteria in the mouth. When you eat food,
especially foods with high carbohydrates, such as sweets and starchy foods, the
sugars in the food are ingested by the bacteria residing on the teeth and the
bacteria then releases acids as byproducts. The acid on the teeth are what break
down the hardness of the teeth and therefore forms a cavity (a soft spot on the
tooth). This is why any foods with acids, such as soft drinks, are particularly
harmful to teeth.
How are cavities fixed?
Once a cavity has formed it must be filled as soon as possible. If left untreated,
the bacteria will continue depositing acids WITHIN the cavity (where
toothbrushing cannot reach) and the cavity will continue to grow and burrow
farther and farther into your tooth. Eventually, the cavity can reach into the area of
the tooth where your nerves are and a toothache begins. If left to reach the pulp of
the tooth (where the nerves are) the only option of saving the tooth is a root canal
(see ROOT CANALS).
Cavities are prevented, first of all, by good oral hygiene. This means brushing at
least two times daily and flossing on a regular basis. Using good mouthwashes,
such as Listerine, may also help prevent cavities from forming.
The dentist must remove the soft part of the tooth (the cavity) with an instrument. A
filling is then placed where the cavity used to be. There are a few different types of
fillings that can be used, depending on where it's placed in the mouth and/or
esthetic concerns. Most fillings nowadays, however, are of the tooth-colored
variety. These fillings are made of very strong resins and come in various shades
to match the tooth color.
The metal fillings (mercury types) are still used to some extent, but seem to be
phasing out of use. They are, however, the strongest fillings.
Sometimes you may have sensitivity in your teeth when you are eating food,
especially sweets, or when drinking something cold or hot. At other times you
may even notice a dark hole on your tooth. These are some of the signs of a
cavity. When the doctor feels around your teeth with their dental equipment,
cavities are one of the major problems they are looking for. Sometimes the
instruments the dentist uses may elicit a sensitivity reaction within the tooth and
you may feel a little "shock". This is a sure sign of a cavity, but it may not be
elicited at all, even though you do have a cavity.
A cavity forms from the natural bacteria in the mouth. When you eat food,
especially foods with high carbohydrates, such as sweets and starchy foods, the
sugars in the food are ingested by the bacteria residing on the teeth and the
bacteria then releases acids as byproducts. The acid on the teeth are what break
down the hardness of the teeth and therefore forms a cavity (a soft spot on the
tooth). This is why any foods with acids, such as soft drinks, are particularly
harmful to teeth.
How are cavities fixed?
Once a cavity has formed it must be filled as soon as possible. If left untreated,
the bacteria will continue depositing acids WITHIN the cavity (where
toothbrushing cannot reach) and the cavity will continue to grow and burrow
farther and farther into your tooth. Eventually, the cavity can reach into the area of
the tooth where your nerves are and a toothache begins. If left to reach the pulp of
the tooth (where the nerves are) the only option of saving the tooth is a root canal
(see ROOT CANALS).
Cavities are prevented, first of all, by good oral hygiene. This means brushing at
least two times daily and flossing on a regular basis. Using good mouthwashes,
such as Listerine, may also help prevent cavities from forming.
The dentist must remove the soft part of the tooth (the cavity) with an instrument. A
filling is then placed where the cavity used to be. There are a few different types of
fillings that can be used, depending on where it's placed in the mouth and/or
esthetic concerns. Most fillings nowadays, however, are of the tooth-colored
variety. These fillings are made of very strong resins and come in various shades
to match the tooth color.
The metal fillings (mercury types) are still used to some extent, but seem to be
phasing out of use. They are, however, the strongest fillings.
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| Copyright 2006 ALL CARE DENTAL, LLC |
Patients' concerns about mercury leakage out of the filling and causing harmful
effects to the patient are absolutely unwarranted. Multiple clinical and laboratory
studies throughout the years have never shown any harmful effects from the use
of metal fillings in patients.
One concern, however, about metal fillings are esthetic concerns. When you
smile and you have metal fillings that can be seen it makes a difference in your
smile. Some people like it, others don't!
effects to the patient are absolutely unwarranted. Multiple clinical and laboratory
studies throughout the years have never shown any harmful effects from the use
of metal fillings in patients.
One concern, however, about metal fillings are esthetic concerns. When you
smile and you have metal fillings that can be seen it makes a difference in your
smile. Some people like it, others don't!
2043 E. Southern Ave.,
Suite D
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-7225
Suite D
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-7225