Are You A Candidate For Fillings?

Everyone is susceptible to cavities, but they can be prevented with a diligent home care regimen that includes regular brushing at least twice a day and flossing once per day.

What are cavities?

When the food we eat interact with bacteria in our mouths, the result is a chemical reaction that produces acid. This acid can erode tooth enamel (the white part of the teeth that we can see). This causes the tooth to decay. Eventually, a small hole will form in the tooth’s enamel surface and this is a cavity. As it grows, it’s an open door to infection and further decay that weakens the tooth and leads to pain and tooth loss.

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Initially, you may not experience any symptoms of having a cavity. However, as the cavity progresses, these are some of the telltale signs:

  • tooth sensitivity
  • pain and discomfort when you bite down
  • minor to substantial pain when drinking or eating anything hold, cold, or sweet
  • staining on the tooth surface
  • toothache or sudden pain that appears to come out of nowhere.

In addition to decay on the enamel crown of a tooth, here are two other places that are vulnerable…

  • Root Cavity – Gum disease, or aggressive brushing, causes gums to recede, exposing the root and making it vulnerable to acid attacks. Root structure is softer than enamel so cavities can form easily. According to one statistic, 10-20% of cavities start to form below the gumline. Who is most likely to develop a root cavity? Root cavities regularly show up in adults over the age of 50, according to the American Dental Association. And when people hit the age of 70, they are the perfect age for root decay.
  • Recurrent Decay – This is when a previously placed filling becomes compromised and the edges (or margins) of the filling or broken edges of the filling snag food and allow bacteria to seep underneath it. Because of the location of the bacteria, it can’t be removed with a regular toothbrush. And because it doesn’t get removed, decay reoccurs.

What’s the best way to prevent cavities?

Good home care and see us at least twice a year for checkups and oral hygiene care. Brush for two minutes twice a day and floss once and eat a balanced diet.

What are the risk factors for developing cavities?

  • Regular consumption of sugary foods, snacks, and drinks.
  • Inadequate oral hygiene habits.
  • Position of the tooth. Decay is prone to happen in the back of your mouth and targets premolars and molars.
  • Lack of fluoride. This naturally occurring mineral is a good line of defense when it comes to stopping cavities in their tracks. In fact, it can completely reverse the very early stages of damage sustained by the tooth.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
  • Acid reflux or GERD.
  • Compromised dental fillings or dental devices. When these begin to break down, it’s easier for plaque to form in these locations.
  • Infant feeding at nighttime. If babies with teeth (or even teeth buds) consume milk, juice, or anything else sugary, that will coat their teeth and stay on it throughout the night. This dental harm is known as baby bottle tooth decay. Young children who drink from sippy cups before bed are also at risk… so it’s best not to give them one of these beverages at this time of day. Instead, quench their thirst with a water only.

As your dental team, we practice preventive dentistry and we always monitor potential problem areas and catch and repair small cavities before they grow larger and cause more extensive and expensive damage. By visiting us regularly, you are being proactive in keeping harmful cavities at bay. This will potentially minimize the number of necessary dental visits in the future – and you won’t have to spend as much money on reversing the damage.

  • Sparkle-up your smile with teeth whitening: Did you know that people with whiter teeth are almost always perceived to be more attractive? It’s true. Depending upon the attractiveness of your teeth, they can have a positive or negative impact on your relationships, career, and self-confidence. If you’re beginning to think about getting some cosmetic dentistry, this easy and popular treatment can give your confidence a boost with striking results.
  • Illuminate the shadows with white fillings: Replace dingy, silver-colored fillings with new natural-looking ones that we will match to your own enamel color for a natural look.
  • Achieve a younger and more-attractive grin with bonding or veneers: which offer value-added benefits! The most sever stains, most-visible cracks, chips, and uneven edges can be masked by our Longmont dentist. They can also hide gaps, re-proportion, and balance your smile … even without braces.
  • Using crowns, you can get natural beauty along with strength to prevent loss of your own teeth.
  • If your teeth have had root canal therapy, multiple fillings, or trauma, and as a result are weak, porcelain crowns will recapture their strength and restore their appearance.
  • Create a balanced, symmetrical gumline with two treatments that deliver beautiful results: veneers or gum sculpting. Ideal for early stage receded gums, or to make dreams come true if you long to correct a “gummy smile”, this cosmetic dentistry option will work for you.
  • With orthodontics or Invisalign®, our dentist in Longmont can improve your orofacial appearance if necessary. Braces correct crooked or crowded teeth, overbites and underbites, incorrect jaw alignment, and disorders of the jaw joints … and more! All will be corrected over time. Invisalign is a newer phenomenon in the orthodontics world that straightens your teeth without the use of the typical metal braces. Instead, they use clear aligners which are custom-built to fit your bite and used over time to change the alignment of your teeth. Treatment plans for both orthodontics and Invisalign vary, and we will be able to suggest the right cosmetic dentistry treatment plan for you.

What are some options for fillings?

There are a number of options for dental fillings, and together, we’ll choose what’s best for your unique situation:

  • Tooth-colored composite fillings match your natural tooth-colour and are used on teeth in your smile zone (those that are visible when you smile) and for molars.
  • Silver-colored fillings (amalgam) have been used for years. Their popularity is waning as they are less attractive than tooth-colored composite. For some people, amalgam can also cause sensitivity when drinking or eating hot or cold foods as the fillings expand and contract when exposed to extreme temperatures.
  • Achieve a younger and more-attractive grin with bonding or veneers: which offer value-added benefits! The most sever stains, most-visible cracks, chips, and uneven edges can be masked by our Longmont dentist. They can also hide gaps, re-proportion, and balance your smile … even without braces.
  • Cast-gold fillings to prevent loss of your own teeth.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Longmont for your family, we’d be very pleased to welcome you to our practice, check the condition of your fillings, and talk about what could help you smile more! Call us at (720) 526-3146 to request your appointment today!

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Dental Bonding & Fillings

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Crown & Bridge

If you’re missing one or more teeth, crown and bridge treatment may be the ideal way to rejuvenate and restore function to your smile. Learn more!