Dental Fillings for Adults: What You Need to Know

Dental fillings are commonly used to restore teeth that are in bad shape. When a tooth becomes infected at a surface level, dentists refer to it as a cavity because the infection ultimately creates a hole in the tooth due to the decay. The first step in treating a minor to moderate cavity is to have a dental filling placed.

This method of tooth restoration has been practiced for centuries, but there are a few things to know about the procedure, especially as an adult. Continue reading to find out more.

Understanding dental fillings

Here is an overview of what is crucial to know about dental fillings for adults. Review this information when preparing for an upcoming appointment.

Material choices

Patients should know that various materials can be used for dental fillings. Common material options include porcelain, composite resin, gold, glass, and silver amalgam.

Dental fillings made of silver amalgam have long experienced controversy due to having slight traces of mercury. There have been many arguments stating that silver amalgam for fillings is not safe. However, it has been studied extensively, and ultimately, it has been determined that this filling option is safe and more than suitable for repairing teeth. Nonetheless, it is vital to be aware of this information ahead of time.

Life afterward

Dental fillings do exactly as their name states: They fill an empty part of a tooth that was once decayed. Unlike dental crowns, fillings seal the empty or missing space within the tooth itself. Therefore, there is a possibility that the filling can be dislodged due to external factors. There are a few things that patients can do to prevent this.

• Avoid foods that are sticky, chewy, or tough, such as candy or meat with bones.
• Avoid chewing gum on a tooth that has a dental filling, especially immediately after the procedure.
• Quit bad habits, such as nail biting or using the teeth to open lids.

While dental fillings are meant to be a restorative solution, they can become dislodged or damaged, which can be painful. Additionally, if this does happen, a repair or replacement will be necessary. In some cases, if the filling is becoming problematic, a different restoration might be required, such as a dental crown.

Oral hygiene

Many people tend to think that getting a dental filling means that the tooth is forever safe from cavities or damage, but that is not the case. Dental fillings do restore a tooth to a healthy state, but there is still a potential that a cavity can develop. Therefore, patients should know how to keep this from occurring:

• Brush twice a day or after every meal.
• Floss once a day carefully to keep the teeth and gums healthy.
• Utilize a saltwater rinse or mouthwash to keep bacteria out of the oral cavity.