UNUSUAL FACTS ABOUT CAVITIES AND FILLINGS

Chances are, you’ve had at least one cavity in your lifetime. Tooth decay is preventable, but cavities are just that common. Worse, you can have one without realizing it. At the start, cavities are not painful.

That’s why you need to call us today at 205-545-8007 and schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning and dental exam. Dental cleanings can protect your teeth in ways that brushing and flossing at home cannot do. Also, our dentists have been treating cavities for years. They have the experience to find them and treat them.

Why You Get Cavities And Tooth Decay

Your mouth is home to harmful bacteria. Don’t worry, so is everyone’s mouth. These bacteria eat food particles left behind after you chew and drink. Sugar and carbs are what help bacteria thrive, which is why candy and sugary snacks are bad for your teeth. As these bacteria thrive and multiply, they secrete an acid. This erodes your enamel and creates cavities.

The problem is that, unlike other cells in your body, enamel doesn’t grow back. Any damage done by tooth decay cannot be undone. That leaves two things for our dentists to do:

• Remove the bacteria creating the cavity.
• Fill in or seal up the cavity to strengthen your teeth.

By calling our Birmingham, AL dental office today, you can schedule dental cleanings that help keep those harmful bacteria under control. If you do have any cavities, regular dental exams will catch them early enough so restorative dentistry treatments will be easier and more effective.

Did You Know This About Cavities & Fillings?

Despite cavities being so common, many people do not know much about them. Here are some unusual facts you might not have heard before.

– Cavities get worse until they are treated

Until our dentists have the chance to repair the damage, your cavities will keep growing larger and larger. You know what’s worse? Enamel has no nerve endings. That means you can’t feel a cavity getting so bad. Only regular dental exams from our highly skilled dentists can help.

– You can get tooth-colored fillings at our Birmingham, AL dental office

Gone are the days when you had to get metal fillings. Although they still work well at repairing cavities, they look awful in your mouth. Plus, metal fillings can make a tooth weaker.

When you call our Birmingham, AL dental office, you can schedule an appointment for tooth-colored fillings. These work just as well (if not better) than metal fillings. Because they are matched to the color of the tooth they’re placed on, tooth-colored fillings blend in with your smile. People will have a hard time even knowing they’re there.

– Untreated cavities can lead to a tooth infection and root canal

Because cavities keep getting larger, they also keep getting deeper. Eventually, they can get deep enough to break into the dental pulp. This is home to the tooth’s blood vessels, and it’s what keeps the tooth alive.

When you get an infection in your dental pulp this way, you get a strong toothache. Eventually, it will kill your tooth. The only way to get rid of the infection is through a root canal.

– Dental fillings are not meant to be permanent

Fillings can last 20 years or longer, but if you got a filling placed when you were a teen, that can mean it’s starting to get loose. Whenever you enjoy hot and cold foods, you cause the filling to expand and contract a little. Over time, this loosens the bond between the filling and the healthy enamel around it.

Getting a filling replaced is not uncommon. In fact, many people do this before it’s technically necessary so they can replace unsightly metal fillings with tooth-colored ones.

– If a cavity gets too big, a dental filling will not work anymore

Remember that a cavity is a hole in your enamel. If that hole gets too big, there’s not enough healthy enamel left. In these cases, you can get a dental crown instead of a dental filling. Our dentists will ensure your dental crown is made to look like a healthy, decay-free version of your tooth. It will fit snugly over that tooth, sealing up the cavity so it stops growing and your tooth is strong again.

Dental Fillings And Dental Crowns Repair Tooth Decay

Call us TODAY at 205-545-8007 or use our online form to schedule your next dental cleaning and dental exam. Cavities can be prevented, but it takes a team effort. Brush, floss, and limit sugary foods at home. Then come in so our highly skilled team can help as well.