When it comes to dental procedures, there’s one that most people can probably relate to… the cavity filling.
Tooth decay, cavities, and dental fillings are some of the most common oral health issues people of all ages will likely face at one point or another. Yet, what do we know about them beyond the basics?
Probably very little. Despite advances in dental technology, cavities continue to be prevalent. This is probably because of the common misconceptions about causes and treatments of tooth decay.
That’s why at Rod Eccles, DDS, we want to clear up some of those misconceptions in today’s blog. Knowledge is power, as you know, so having the right information about why cavities form and what they can potentially lead to will help you prevent them.
Along with good information, prevention is a team effort between you and our team here in Plainfield. Dr. Eccles wants to make sure you come in for a routine dental cleaning and exam twice a year to catch cavities and other oral health problems before they become more serious issues that threaten your smile.
Why Do Cavities Form?
Since you were a child, you were warned that eating too much sugar would rot your teeth. Beyond that, you probably didn’t learn much more about tooth decay. But it’s not to be blamed entirely on sugar.
It’s just as much to do with harmful bacteria. At all times, you have both good and bad bacteria in your mouth. Lovely thought, right?
The bad bacteria needs sugar in order to be fruitful and multiply. So the more sugar you consume, the greater your risk for decay and cavities. Why? Because as the bacteria feeds on the sugar from your food and drinks, it creates acids that erode your tooth enamel. That’s where cavity formation really begins.
When your tooth enamel is attacked by acids, it becomes weakened by erosion and more defenseless against plaque bacteria that form cavities. Brushing and flossing everyday is only part of the prevention strategy. You need a professional who has the tools and skill to give your mouth a deep, thorough cleaning to keep plaque and tartar buildup at bay.
The Truth About Decay, Cavities, & Dental Fillings
Along with good oral hygiene habits and regular dental cleanings, you need to have the facts in order to more effectively prevent decay.
Here are some surprising truths about cavities and fillings.
Truth: You won’t always know if you have a cavity.
If you had a cavity, surely you’d know it, right? Not necessarily. Like many oral health problems, you’re not always going to be given red flags when they start to take hold in your mouth.
As we said before, acids erode your enamel and give bacteria many open doors to the inside of your teeth. There, they grow into cavities, but you might not feel any pain at all. That’s why it’s critical to schedule routine checkups in our Plainfield dental office so we can catch these problems early.
Truth: Cavities can lead to bigger problems if left untreated.
Your teeth can’t be strong and healthy if there are big holes in them, right? So it makes sense that leaving cavities untreated will only make the problem worse. They’ll grow larger and also have more time to get inside to your tooth pulp and infect it. The solution when that happens is a root canal, which nobody wants to happen!
Truth: Sometimes A Dental Filling Isn’t Enough.
When cavities grow to a certain point, a dental filling will no longer be enough to cut it. That’s because in order for a filling to “fill” the cavity, it has to have enough healthy tooth enamel to bond to, and if there isn’t enough, it just won’t have the strength to restore your tooth.
That’s when we’d have to use a dental crown to seal your cavity and protect your tooth from any further trauma. Dental crowns are natural-looking solutions to restore function and beauty to your teeth.
Truth: Metal Fillings Aren’t Your Only Option Anymore.
Metal fillings are still an effective treatment for cavities, but they aren’t the only option anymore. At Rod Eccles, DDS, you can opt for composite fillings, which are color matched to your other teeth so you won’t be able to tell where the filling is when you smile.
Schedule An Appointment
Has all of this information got you thinking about your next dental cleaning and exam? Then call Rod Eccles, DDS in Plainfield, IN today at 317-682-0884 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule an appointment!