Tooth fillings are one of the most common dental procedures completed in Australia. When asking people about tooth fillings you’ll find that everyone you speak to has had at least one in their lifetime. Fillings are a simple yet effective way to repair teeth that have been affected by decay and today we are going to be breaking down the signs that you might need tooth fillings.
What Are Tooth Fillings?
Tooth fillings are the simple procedure of filling a hole that has been made in the tooth due to the build-up of dental decay. In some cases, tooth fillings can also be used if part of the tooth has been removed due to trauma. There is a range of different materials used to complete tooth fillings with the two most popular generally being Composite Material and Amalgam.
Composite Fillings
Composite tooth fillings are what our team here at Mermaid Smiles use. This composite material is a mercury-free resin that is able to bond closely with the tooth’s natural enamel. It comes in a wide variety of shades which allows our team to be able to pick the perfect shade to match perfectly with your teeth, you won’t even know it’s there!
Not only are our white composite fillings more aesthetically pleasing, they’re also less invasive than conventional amalgam fillings. Even if you have to get a filling placed at the front of your mouth, no one will even be able to tell.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam is another popular filling material that has been used for more than 150 years. This material consists of metals including:
- Silver
- Copper
- Tin
- Mercury
- Zinc
This metal mixture forms an extremely strong filling and is safe for use for the majority of people. Although a strong filling for your tooth, they can be easily spotted in the mouth as they are metal in colour.
Signs That You May Require Tooth Fillings
- Tooth Sensitivity
Beginning to notice tooth sensitivity that wasn’t there before is one of the most telling signs that you may require a filling. Tooth sensitivity is a sensation that occurs when ingesting cold or warm food or beverages. This sensation can be painful and may signal that there is a small hole in the tooth that needs to be filled.
- Getting Food Stuck Between Teeth
Another sign that you may need a filling is that you’re repeatedly getting food stuck between the same teeth. The area between two teeth is extremely commonplace for decay to occur, which could be the cause of food now becoming stuck when it hasn’t previously.
- Throbbing or Sharp Pains
Having pain or throbbing in a particular tooth are eating food isn’t normal and is often a sign that you require a filling. The decay causes nerves to become exposed on your teeth which is why you may be noticing pain while consuming food.
- Dark Spots on Teeth
When brushing your teeth, it’s important to have a good look at your teeth. If you notice dark spots appearing on your teeth this is more likely than not tooth decay, which means you’ll need a tooth filling. After spotting dark spots, you can contact our team immediately to book a check-up appointment to confirm what the spots are.
- Frayed Dental Floss
As a tooth gets affected by decay, the surface of the tooth changes to a rougher texture as the enamel gets eaten away. When flossing, you may notice that it becomes frayed or even snaps when trying to floss between particular teeth if they have been affected by decay and require a filling.
What happens If You Ignore Needing Tooth Fillings?
If fillings are required, but you delay getting them done, unfortunately, this means the dental decay grows. As it grows, it gets closer to the nerve and is more likely to cause nerve damage. If this happens, often a root canal or even extraction is required, when it may have been avoided with a simple filling.
A lot of people get nervous when it comes to needing tooth fillings. People automatically assume receiving a filling is a painful procedure, when in reality that is far from the truth, especially when you visit our team at Mermaid Smiles.
Our team ensure that everything centres around making sure you’re comfortable through the entirety of your procedure at our clinic. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area so that you won’t be able to feel the procedure whilst it’s completed. Once the local anaesthetic is used, one of our expert dentists will be able to gently remove the cavity and place the filling with you only feeling a little pressure at most.
If you are quite anxious when visiting the dentist, we also offer two different sedation options, Happy Gas or Twilight Sedation, if you wish. These options are ideal for those who will constantly put off having to visit the dentist due to fear. Prior to your procedure appointment speak with our team about which sleep dentistry option would be ideal for you.
Stop Pain In Its Tracks!
Stop any pain that you’re receiving from decayed teeth in its tracks with our help. Start the process of restoring your teeth to their original condition by booking an appointment with our team today.
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