Cavities Could Be Treated With Lifelike Fillings

cleveland dental fillings

When a cavity forms in your smile, this could leave your tooth vulnerable to painful symptoms and even the onset of a painful infection. Which is why you should see us for care when your tooth hurts! In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how we treat cavities with metal-free dental fillings.

The Causes of Tooth Decay

A cavity forms when harmful oral bacteria make contact with the dentin, the sensitive structure that composes most of the tooth, but is usually protected by the outer enamel. Injury to the tooth, teeth grinding, or poor oral hygiene habits that encourage plaque buildup and weakened enamel could expose the dentin by eroding enamel. When this occurs, you may begin to notice tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, and eventually a toothache. Without treatment, this could allow the cavity to grow until the tooth becomes infected, a complication that causes worsening pain and threatens tooth stability.

Dental Fillings

A dental filling can be placed in one visit to treat the cavity and bring relief to the smile. Our team will start by carefully examining the smile to assess the cause, extent, and position of the decay. We then numb the tooth to ensure you’re comfortable as we remove the decay and clean it thoroughly. The filling material, a metal-free composite resin, is then applied in several layers. The material will be shaded to blend with the tooth and as it cures beneath a light, we will sculpt and mold. The last step is to polish the tooth for a smoother feel and a brighter appearance. Treatment helps save the tooth, bring comfort, and also offers a lifelike appearance too.

Prevention

What can be done to avoid the onset of a cavity? Our team can recommend a few steps to help safeguard your oral health. For example, you need to brush and floss daily. Brush in the morning and again at night for two minutes, always using a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the outer enamel. Floss thoroughly every evening too, as this removes what a toothbrush cannot reach. Cut back on sugary and starchy foods, and drinks high in sugar, to lower the risk of cavities and plaque buildup. Finally, make time to see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can keep an eye out for decay and also remove all plaque and tartar to protect the smile.

Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Restorative Dental Care

Our team wants to treat a cavity in one visit and bring relief in only one visit. For more information on providing natural looking treatment for cavities, contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.