Preserve a healthy smile
There’s a slight misconception that getting a dental filling is a long and uncomfortable procedure, but with modern dental practice technology, you’ll be leaving our dental practice with a healthy, happy smile in no time! Here, at The Village Dentist, our Castle Hill dental facility, we have the most experienced, qualified and gentle dentists to perform tooth fillings that are discrete and practical, giving you a smile to feel confident with. If you have a chipped tooth or small cavities formed by tooth decay, there’s no need for dental surgery or more advanced dental treatments, like root canal therapy.
Our Castle Hill dentist team aren’t just passionate about providing dental care, they’re also passionate about making sure you understand your oral health and the preventative measures you can take to maintain a healthy smile for life. During an appointment with one of our expert dentists, they’ll provide an in-depth explanation of why you might require dental fillings and what you can do to prevent tooth decay.
What is tooth decay?
Understanding tooth decay can be important, as it’s the most common reason our patients require dental fillings. The typical causes of tooth decay include an unhealthy diet, minimal dental care at home and irregular visits to your dentist for check-ups. Fortunately, you can easily avoid these causes with a bit of diligence and awareness! The term ‘tooth decay’ is a broad term that can include the following dental issues:
- Root caries: A consequence of poor oral health is the potential for gum diseases, like gingivitis, or its more extreme counterpart, periodontitis. Gum diseases accelerate gum recession and even bone loss, which makes your tooth roots vulnerable to caries (tooth decay and cavities). The roots of your teeth don’t receive the same protection from enamel as your teeth do, making them even more vulnerable to caries.
- Fissure caries: Your teeth have fissures, which are essentially deep grooves on the surface. The enamel is typically thin in these areas, so when plaque builds up, it can cause caries in the fissures. Tooth decay in these areas is common in young children.
- Proximal caries: When you don’t floss, plaque can build up between your teeth, causing proximal tooth decay and cavities. The spaces between your teeth can be difficult to clean, which is why flossing is so important!
When do I need fillings?
Cavities and tooth decay can be difficult to identify without special tools and technology, particularly if the caries are in their early stages. Our expert Castle Hill dental team can conduct x-rays to determine the extent of tooth decay, suggesting whether you need fillings or the use of products to help heal incipient decay.
While visiting our dental practice in Castle Hill is the best way to determine if you need a filling, there are some warning signs to keep an eye out for. If you experience any of the following symptoms, consider booking an appointment with one of our dentists as soon as possible:
- constant toothaches
- visible cavities in your teeth
- dark spots on your teeth
- sensitive gums and teeth while brushing
- sensitive gums and teeth while eating or drinking cold food or drink
- sharp pains in your teeth
The dental filling procedure
Our Castle Hill dentists are highly experienced and use cutting-edge technologies and techniques to ensure a quick and comfortable procedure. The duration of the procedure might vary depending on how many fillings you’re receiving, but the entire treatment often takes between 30 and 90 minutes.
As for the exact steps involved, you can expect the procedure to look like this:
- The first step involves your dentist administering a local anesthetic to numb the area, maximising your comfort.
- Next, your dentist removes the decay from your tooth and gives it an overall cleaning, readying the cavity, crack or chip for filling.
- Your dentist then uses a special white composite material to fill the cavity in your tooth, which sets almost immediately through exposure to a special light.
- To ensure the filling doesn’t protrude and affect your bite, your dentist performs several bite checks and makes minor adjustments to ensure the filling is smooth and flush with your surrounding tooth.
- The last step of the procedure is when your dentist polishes your filling, giving it a natural-looking, smooth finish.
How to prevent tooth decay
It’s helpful to keep in mind that you can easily prevent the need for fillings through several healthy habits. Conducting simple at-home dental health habits can maintain your oral health, mitigating the potential for a dental emergency and avoiding more advanced treatments, like root canal therapy. Below, you can consider some steps to follow to prevent tooth decay:
1. Understand the causes and consequences of tooth decay
Being aware of what causes tooth decay is usually the first step in the right direction. Understanding the consequences can also put into perspective the importance of maintaining healthy gums and teeth. If you know the common types and causes of tooth decay, you can focus on prevention effectively.
2. Visit your local dentist for professional teeth cleaning
Visiting your local Castle Hill dentist for regular check-ups is an excellent idea. We have the technology and expertise to perform effective teeth cleaning services and can identify any hidden issues that might be developing in your teeth in gums, unbeknownst to you.
3. Maintain healthy dental care habits
Often the best preventative measures you can take start at home. Brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash regularly. This can prevent plaque build-up and can effectively remove harmful bacteria from your mouth.
4. Choose healthy food and drinks
A major culprit in speeding up tooth decay is sugar. When you consume sugary food and drinks, it reacts with the bacteria in your mouth, forming an acidic substance that strips the enamel protecting your teeth and increases your risk of tooth decay.
