It goes without saying that there are many more factors that negatively impact our smiles than there are factors that have a positive influence. In fact, nearly everything can cause some form of pain, damage, infection, and more. Oftentimes if you experience a sharp pain, sensitivity, or difficulty in function, the concern could be much bigger than you might expect, requiring extensive treatment to address. In other circumstances, it might already be too late. In today’s blog, your Pella, IA dentist discusses the impact decay has on your teeth, and how its effects can be prevented by addressing concerns early on with a filling.
Preventing Infection
Whether you are aware of it or not, decay is one of the biggest threats to your oral health. In fact, it affects roughly 3 million individuals in the United States every year in some shape or form. Its effects vary, depending on the stage it has developed to, and can be a simple fix if caught early. Unfortunately, it also has the capability of claiming an entire tooth without care.
Just as countless other concerns begin with oral bacteria, so does decay. These bacteria thrive in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, where they feed off of the foods and sugars we consume. They also secrete harmful acid that aids in breaking down our natural teeth.
In its earliest stages, decay presents itself as a hole or a cavity. As it progresses, it infects the tooth from the outside-in until it has reached a point of compromission. While cavities can be difficult to spot on one’s own, your dentist can help identify them during your routine checkup, as well as provide information about the need for a filling.
Reinforcing Your Strength
When you come in for your restorative treatment, your procedure will begin with the removal of infected portions of a structure and the subsequent cleaning of that area. From here, we will apply a composite resin material to occupy the cavity, then shape it to fill any holes or gaps. Once shaped to satisfaction, your restoration is cured or hardened with a special light, and then you are on your way.
Natural-Looking Results
The last thing anyone wants is to lose one of their natural teeth, especially since they are permanent. After all, once they are gone, they will not come back. A dental filling offers the ability to remove infection in its earliest stages and promote a healthy recovery with reinforced strength. What’s more, the tooth-colored material can be shade-matched to your natural smile so that you can enjoy the lifelike results.
Learn More Today
For more information about protecting your smile from decay or to schedule your appointment with our team, contact Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA by calling 641-628-1121 today.