Ouch. Have you been experiencing pain when you try to bite into your favorite flavor of ice cream? Are mornings spent wincing while you try to sip your extra hot latte? If so, you could be suffering from a cavity. While no one wants to hear that he or she has developed a cavity, there is good news. Modern dentistry makes it possible to cope with a cavity in a way that won’t wreck your smile. In fact, tooth-colored dental fillings provide a way to seamlessly restore a smile affected by a cavity, so you can move past the sensitivity and discomfort, and get back to enjoying a healthy smile and all your favorite things!
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities can cause sensitivity and even pain, especially when enjoying hot or cold foods and beverages. That is because tooth decay can erode the enamel of your teeth, causing the more sensitive layer beneath the enamel, the dentin, to become exposed.
Cavities are most often caused by plaque buildup, which creates acidity and begins to erode the tooth. The best way to prevent plaque from building up in the first place is to eat a balanced diet (sugar feeds the plaque), drink plenty of water, brush and floss daily, and attend regular professional cleanings.
Many people don’t realize that calcified plaque can only be removed through a professional cleaning, which is why six-months checkups are needed to maintain oral health.
How Do Fillings Help?
A filling helps to protect a tooth by creating a barrier that can prevent bacteria or other debris from entering into a fragile tooth. The filling also helps to bear the brunt of your chewing, so that the weakened tooth isn’t made more fragile.
Because modern fillings can be made using composite resin material, which can be made to closely match your natural teeth, the resulting restoration will blend in, rather than draw attention to your restorative work. This allows you to smile comfortably and confidently, knowing people will be focused on your beautiful smile, not your dental restoration.
