Treating Decay With Dental Fillings

To maintain a healthy smile, we should all be practicing a regular dental routine of brushing, flossing, and attending regular checkups. Your dentist can also help recommend alternative treatment for a variety of concerns, such as the use of an oral appliance to help with bruxism. In the event a cavity forms, your dentist may recommend a dental filling to address signs of early tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX dentist explains how a tooth filling procedure can remove tooth decay and what steps you can take to care for your dental restoration.

A Form of Restorative Care

Restorative care is a branch of dentistry that addresses dental concerns that have already occurred. Healthy teeth can be some of the strongest bones in the body, but once an infection has settled in, it can get out of hand very fast. For this reason, you do not want to wait to seek treatment.

Dental decay is among the most common oral health concerns out there, but what exactly is it? You see, every smile contains bacteria, and though we practice preventive care to avoid that number getting out of hand, it is impossible to rid the mouth of virtually all bacteria. As such, bacteria like to lurk in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. When these microorganisms feed on the sugars from the food we consume, they produce a dangerous acid that breaks down the healthy structure of your tooth. When a small hole forms, this is known as a cavity.

What to Expect from the Process

Minor cavities can oftentimes be treated with a tooth filling. During this process, your dentist will take care to numb the area surrounding the tooth before carefully removing the decay and filling the cavity with a composite dental material. After the material has been placed and shaped appropriately so as not to offset your bite, it will then be cured using a special light, and you will be on your way! For more information about this process, give our team a call today.

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Keep in mind that just because your tooth was treated, that does not mean it is guaranteed to stay healthy. In fact, you have to put in the effort to maintain your oral health, otherwise, infection will set in and compromise your grin, tooth by tooth. Other, more extensive restorative treatment exists to help address some of these concerns, and we encourage you to learn more about the ways you can take your health into your own hands.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Your smile’s health is important to maintain, and we are here to help you. Whether you need a checkup or require restorative care, we will work with you to understand your options and put your best foot forward. To schedule your next appointment with our team or to learn more, contact Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX by calling (972) 262-5111 today.