Some facts about dental fillings and if you may need them

Dental fillings have been around for a long time. In fact, dental fillings have been around since the 1500s. This means that dental fillings have saved an awful lot of teeth. Dental fillings help us restore cavities and other dental problems that would otherwise become problematic and painful. Modern day fillings are made from body-friendly materials like amalgam, composite materials, and even gold. But just how do you know when to visit your dentist to get a filling?

Well, the only person who knows for sure if you need a filling is your dentist. There will need to be an examination and x-rays will have to be done to determine what needs to happen next. There are, however, some signs that might indicate the need for a filling. These include pain in the tooth, sensitivity or a visible hole in the tooth. That is not to say you don’t have tooth decay present if you aren’t suffering any symptoms. Which is why it is so important to visit your dentist on a regular basis. We even have a special laser called a Diagnodent that can diagnose cavities very early (pictured below).

Say you have the classic symptoms of a cavity, but you choose to ignore it. Don’t think this cavity will simply go away, as a matter of fact, it will continue to rot and decay. The pain could get so intense that it makes eating and other tasks uncomfortable and difficult. You risk greater infections in the mouth such as gum disease and gingivitis. And if left untreated, your cavity could become large, forcing your dentist to perform a root canal or tooth extraction.

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