Learn More About Getting a Cavity Filled to Save Your Tooth

The key to good oral health is practicing solid oral hygiene and addressing issues as they arise. When it comes to cavities, the best way to catch them early is with regular dental checkups. If your Garden Ridge, Texas, dentist fills your cavity as soon as it appears, you have a better chance of saving a tooth. 

How Do I Know if I Need a Filling to Save My Tooth?

Generally, a deeper cavity exposes the inner structures of the tooth. When this happens, you may experience pain or sensitivity to cold, hot, or sugary foods and beverages. However, the only way to be sure you have a cavity is to visit the dentist regularly. Cavities can also be present without pain or discomfort, and they still need to be filled to save your tooth. 

What Are the Signs of a Cavity? 

In most cases, your dentist will know you have a cavity before you do, especially if you receive regular dental care. However, be alert to any of these signs that can suggest you have a cavity:

• Food getting stuck in the same areas of your mouth
• Broken, rough, or chipped tooth
• Dark spots on a tooth’s surface
• Dental floss getting shredded or stuck between teeth
• Pain when chewing or biting on a certain tooth
• Sensitivity to hot, sugary, or cold foods and beverages

Are Dental Fillings Safe?

Yes, dental fillings are safe because all materials used for fillings are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you have concerns or sensitivities, address them with your dentist during your initial appointment. 

What Are Composite Fillings?

Sometimes called white fillings, composite fillings are made with durable composite material that’s colored to match the shade of your natural teeth. Composite resin has a consistency like putty, which allows dentists to mold the material into the shape of your natural teeth. 

What Are the Benefits of White Fillings?

Some of the benefits of composite fillings include:

• Natural looking and designed to match your teeth
• Short recovery time after filling
• An affordable option for saving a tooth
• Completed in one dental appointment
• Durable, lasting between seven and ten years with proper care

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Can Dental Fillings Fall Out?

Occasionally, a dental filling will loosen and fall out. If this happens, you should see a dentist as soon as possible because your exposed tooth may become sensitive. Equally important, decay can set in and put your tooth at risk. 

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

Ceramic fillings, as well as gold and silver amalgam fillings, last between 10 and 15 years. Composite fillings are just slightly less durable because they last between seven and ten years. These are just averages. How long a filling lasts is very patient/doctor-dependent. A well-done filling on a patient that takes great care of it may last 30+ years.

What Are the Options for Getting Teeth Fillings in Garden Ridge, Texas?

If you receive regular dental care, your dentist will discover a cavity before you even know it’s there. That’s why seeing a dentist like Dr. Larry Dougherty at Rolling Oaks Dental in Garden Ridge, Texas, is important. Dr. Dougherty and his team will remind you when it’s time for a checkup so you can keep your smile as healthy as possible. Call us today at [phone] to get started on your journey to better oral health.