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How to Know If You Need Dental Fillings

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Millions of people suffer from cavities each year, but dental fillings allow each of these people to restore their smiles without affecting their appearance. However, it can be hard to tell when you have a cavity. Some symptoms–like visible holes in your tooth or pain when you bite–are obvious signs of a cavity, but some cavities don’t show outright symptoms at all. Learn how you can recognize causes of tooth pain and sensitivity and if you need dental fillings for decay!

 

Tooth Sensitivity

Having a sensitive tooth is a very common sign of a cavity, however, it doesn’t mean that there actually is one. Tooth sensitivity can happen simply because you have some of your tooth root exposed that is getting hit with hot or cold temperatures. You may not even be able to see that gum recession if it’s slight.

 

Over the years, it can be common for the gums to slightly pull away from the teeth, especially when proper brushing and flossing measures aren’t performed. Exposed parts of your teeth with nerve receptors are then exposed, causing you pain with heat and cold. This can happen with food, drinks, or with air hitting your teeth. That sensitivity is also very common with low temperatures in the winter, so it may simply be a weather change that brings it on in your mouth.

 

When tooth sensitivity persists over time and becomes worse, then you start looking at cracked teeth or dental decay as the main causes.

 

Cracked Teeth

Did you know that your teeth are made up of about 96% hard-packed mineral content? That is why they are the strongest substance in your entire body–much more so than the bones! The teeth are comprised of a very tough outer enamel layer, followed by a more porous dentin layer underneath, and a soft, pulpy center. The tough, outer enamel should hold up to 250 pounds of pressure if your teeth are healthy. However, they don’t if you chomp down on just the right thing.

 

You can get sensitive teeth from a cracked tooth. This is when too much pressure has caused a break in the tooth, even if you can’t see it. Pain or sensitivity may come or go, but will manifest when you’re eating or chewing on something. You may have a crack right at the top of a molar that only hurts when you bite down directly on top of it. A dental x-ray will have to confirm a crack for sure, so always call your dentist if you have pain and sensitivity that comes and goes.

 

Cracked teeth can be caused by biting down on non-edible items, food items that are too hard, crooked teeth, bite problems, injuries and your diet. Coincidentally, these are all the same factors that lead to problems with tooth decay as well.

 

Tooth Decay: Do You Have It?

The most common cause of tooth sensitivity is tooth decay, known as “cavities”. You can get a cavity from your diet and/or a lack of oral hygiene. It can also come from a cracked or broken tooth that gets bacteria inside areas of your teeth. No matter the cause, the National Institutes of Health report that tooth decay is the most “prevalent, chronic disease” that people face. Most don’t even realize it!

 

92% of people have had tooth decay by the time they are 18. More than 96% have had tooth decay by age 65. 42% of children between ages 2 and 11 have cavities as well, and even small infants can have tooth decay if their teeth aren’t brushed. Tooth decay can actually be considered an “infectious” disease because the decay spreads to other parts of the tooth if not controlled. However, you can’t spread cavities to another person.

 

The way you fix tooth decay is through changing oral hygiene habits, food and drink choices, and having your tooth repaired through a dental filling.

 

Do You Need a Dental Filling?

To start, your teeth decay due to plaque and acids in your mouth. When you eat, some mouth bacteria combines with sugar to make a sticky, acidic substance called plaque. That clear plaque sticks to the teeth and the acids in it starts to break up minerals in the teeth, leading to dead spaces. This is tooth decay. The more sugar you eat, the more plaque your mouth makes and the more your teeth can decay. Drinking or eating anything with citric acid (fruits/drinks) or carbonic acid (soda/sparkling water) will make decay happen faster.

 

Because dead spaces have been created in the teeth, those spaces need to be cleaned of all decay and refilled.When you come in for your dental exam, we will take x-rays of your teeth to find dental decay. At your next appointment, we gently drill out the decayed part of your tooth so that the decay stops spreading. We then place a gel on the tooth that roughens up the tooth surface in the area of the cavity. With this roughened tooth surface, a bonding agent can then be applied that will allow for the placement and retention of dental fillings.

 

Young woman smiling with her hands held under her chin.Are Dental Fillings Right for You?

At our office, we use tooth-colored dental fillings to beautify your smile when we remove decay. These are also known as “composite fillings”, and they are made a shade of white that will match the current color of your teeth. With composite dental fillings, we stop tooth decay before it can spread. We can also use the same type of bonding materials to fill spaces in the teeth cosmetically or to fill in areas of the teeth that have been cracked or chipped.

If you know you have tooth decay, or you’re seeing the signs of tooth sensitivity and pain, call our office to see what dental appointment you will need. Dental fillings may be right for you if decay is the cause of your sensitivity. For your consultation, call Stonebrook Family Dental today at (303) 872-7907!

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