Does Your Aching Tooth Need A Dental Filling?

When you have pain in a tooth, this could lead to discomfort and without attention, even the onset of dental infection. But our team can offer a lifelike and holistic option with composite resin fillings, which are safe for all ages. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about how we place our natural-looking dental fillings.

The Warning Signs (and Causes) of a Cavity

What warning signs should you be aware of? A cavity could cause tooth sensitivity, in which you experience pain when you eat or drink. There could also be a toothache that doesn’t subside after a day or two, and instead is persistent and grows in severity with time. Don’t ignore pain in a tooth, talk to our team about a diagnosis to see if you need a filling. Cavities form in the dentin, the sensitive structure beneath your outer enamel. Bacteria could reach the dentin to cause cavities when enamel is weakened by factors like poor brushing and flossing, a diet high in sugar, and severe plaque and tartar buildup. Injury to the teeth or teeth grinding could also be a factor.

The Composite Resin Dental Filling

Our team will conduct a detailed examination with digital imaging systems, so we can assess the cause and severity of your decay and plan treatment in detail. We begin by numbing your tooth with a local anesthesia to keep you comfortable as we remove decay from the tooth. We then clean the tooth thoroughly and prepare the filling material. The composite resin we use is metal-free, safe for all ages, and can be color matched to blend with your tooth. We apply this in multiple layers and sculpt it as the composite resin cures beneath a light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance.

Taking a Preventive Approach

Following your treatment, we want to make sure you know how to prevent the need for fillings down the road. For example, at home try to cut down on how much sugar is in your diet, and brush and floss daily, to remove stray particles of sugar and starch to fight cavities. We also want to see you and your family every six months for a checkup and cleanings, so we can watch for the earliest signs of decay and also remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth. If you have any questions about how our team will prevent tooth decay and safeguard your smile, then contact our team today.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO STOP YOUR TOOTH DECAY

Our team wants to help you enjoy a healthy smile free of painful cavities. You can schedule an appointment by calling our office in Astoria, NY at 718-728-8320.