Tooth decay could lead to painful symptoms and the risk of infection, and even tooth loss. But general dental care could allow our team to treat tooth decay and offer lifelike results. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about how we stop cavities with a lifelike composite resin dental filling.
The Onset of Tooth Decay
How do you know if you have a cavity? Tooth decay occurs when harmful oral bacteria make contact with the inner dentin, the sensitive structure that makes up most of your tooth. This could be due to factors like poor brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar weakening enamel. Other factors include injury or even teeth grinding. When the cavity forms, it will grow in severity until treated. Eventually this could lead to tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, or a toothache that lasts for more than a day or two. When your tooth begins to hurt, you should see our team right away, as this could mean the risk of an infection is much higher!
Dental Filling Placement
Our team will examine the tooth thoroughly to assess the cause and severity of your cavity, so we can plan treatment in detail. In most cases, our team will use a dental filling to provide relief and protect the tooth from infection and tooth loss. The filling material is a metal-free composite resin, which we can shade to blend with the tooth. We will numb your tooth so you are comfortable as we remove decay and clean it thoroughly. We then prepare and place the filling material in several layers. We then mold and sculpt the tooth as the material cures under a light. The last step is to polish it for a brighter appearance. In one visit, we can save your tooth!
Protecting Your Smile with General Dentistry
With general dentistry, we can help protect your smile from future cavities. We want to see you for a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can monitor your smile for the earliest signs of decay, treating your tooth before you experience discomfort. This can also help fight issues like gingivitis and gum disease. At home, you can help by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste when you wake up and then again before going to bed. We also urge you to floss every evening before you brush the second time, removing what a toothbrush alone cannot reach.
Dental Impressions Talks About General Dentistry
We want to help you smile with confidence and comfort following your dental filling placement. To find out more about treating dental cavities, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
