How Do Dentists Fill Cavities?

When the average person thinks “dentist” they often think of cavities and drills. How a dentist goes about filling a cavity is more of a mystery to the average audience. Despite being a common procedure that most people experience, at least once, just how fillings are placed remains a mystery. In order to ease concerns and shed some light on this commonplace procedure, let’s take a look at the details involved when your dentist fills a cavity. Remember, dentistry can do amazing things to reconstruct your teeth, but the best defense against cavities is brushing and flossing daily.

What is a tooth filling?

A tooth filling is a structural and cosmetic repair to a damaged tooth. The most common cause of tooth fillings is cavities. Tooth decay is the most common dental problem that exists today. While brushing and flossing work to prevent tooth decay, even the most careful people often end up with a cavity in those hard to reach spots, at some point in their lifetime. When a tooth decays, the enamel wears down, causing pits to form in the tooth. Sometimes, these pits reach all the way to the center of the tooth, which results in a severe infection and even a root canal. The best way to stop this decay is by filling the tooth. Once the pit is cleaned, a filling is inserted into the hole, protecting the sensitive enamel.

What are fillings made of?

Like most people, you probably want to know what materials are used to fill your teeth. These materials vary. Fillings are made with a variety of substances, depending on the needs of the patient receiving it. If your tooth is in a highly visible location, you most likely want to opt for tooth-colored enamel, plastic, or resin. However, if the filling is in a less visible location, you can choose a cheaper material, opting to save money. Surprisingly, gold and silver amalgam fillings tend to be cheaper than tooth-colored fillings.

How long do fillings take?

When it comes to scheduling a dental visit, you need to know how long a procedure takes. Thankfully, fillings are very quick to place in most instances. While individual times vary, depending on the placement and severity of the cavity, most take about fifteen minutes to place. However, this does not include the time it takes for the anesthetic to kick in. Again, times vary person to person. Most people are comfortably numb and ready for the filling to be placed in five to ten minutes after receiving the anesthetic.

How long do fillings last?

Your smile is one of the most important features that people see. For this reason, you want to know that any work you have done on your teeth will last. While fillings are quick and affordable, they don’t last forever. Each combination has a different lifespan. In general, though, you can expect your filling to last about eight years. However, some materials can last over a decade. This is just an average, however. If you take care of your teeth and eat carefully with your fillings, they could last longer. On the other hand, careless treatment wears out a filling much sooner.

If left untreated, a cavity could ruin more than just a tooth. You want to correct any cavities as soon as possible. Your dentist can place a filling in the pit of a cavity to halt the decay and damage to your tooth. With proper care, you could be enjoying a strong filling more than ten years down the road. These benefits more than justify spending fifteen minutes getting the filling in the first place. If you think you might have a cavity, contact our office today and schedule an appointment.

Beverages to Avoid After You Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is the best way to make sure keep them for a long time. However, brushing is a little more complicated than we're often taught. Like most people, you probably wonder about drinking water or other beverages after brushing your teeth. You may also wonder if and when it's okay to eat after brushing your teeth, especially at night. Don't worry, getting to the bottom of these brushing questions is simpler than it appears.

Soda

Yes, soda is delicious. However, when it comes to healthy teeth, there’s never a good time to drink soda. The acids in soda, and diet drinks, soften your tooth enamel. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get your enamel back, after it’s gone. Obviously, drinking soda puts your teeth at risk, but the risk is even greater after you’ve brushed your teeth. Brushing cleans plaque off your teeth, but it can also temporarily soften your enamel. Drinking soda, after brushing your teeth just compounds this effect.

Orange juice

For many people, orange juice is the best morning pick-me-up. This highly acidic juice is full of great vitamins, but it’s not great for your teeth. You should brush your teeth for thirty minutes before—or after—you drink orange juice. Drinking orange juice after brushing teeth can lead to more enamel loss than drinking juice alone. The highly acidic nature of the juice softens your teeth. Then, a toothbrush comes in and worsens the damage. You can lessen this effect several ways. First of all, always dilute your juice. Orange juice thinned with water still tastes great and provides plenty of vitamins. On the other hand, you can avoid drinking this power packed juice right before or right after brushing.

Coffee or tea

Coffee and tea can both be hard on your teeth. As mentioned earlier, brushing your teeth softens the enamel, making it more porous. This allows stains to get deep into your tooth. Yikes! While coffee and tea aren’t as bad for your teeth as orange juice or soda, they’re also not kind. If you want to keep your smile pearly white, avoid drinking coffee or tea for at least thirty minutes after you’ve brushed your teeth.

All foods introduce plaque

A little bedtime snack may seem like the perfect ending to your day. However, you’re making a big mistake if you eat after brushing your teeth at night. It doesn’t matter if you drink milk or orange juice, or eat a meal, all foods introduce plaque. When you eat, the germs in your mouth go into overdrive. These germs are the very culprits that cause tooth decay. They eat the starches and sugars in your food, and excrete acid that harms your teeth. When it comes to germs, all foods have sugar in them. If you plan on eating a bedtime snack, make sure you brush your teeth again before you go to bed. Anything you introduce after brushing your teeth just sits in your mouth otherwise.

Brushing is essential for tooth health, but it also softens your teeth temporarily. While your teeth are vulnerable, avoid any food or drinks that may be acidic or cause staining. Coffee, tea, orange juice, and soda are major sources of tooth damage. Most importantly, if you’re going to bed, skip the late-night snack. Anything you eat will be a feast for decay-causing bacteria.

How to Lower the Risk of Oral Cancer

Personal habits can contribute to your risk of oral cancer. Therefore, it’s more productive to see oral cancer prevention through the lens of risk reduction. The best thing you can do is follow these tips to reduce your risk. If you aim to prevent mouth cancer entirely, pay attention, and take action now.  You can lower your odds of contracting oral cancer, or boost your odds of catching it early.

Quit or avoid tobacco use

If you want to help prevent oral cancer, quit tobacco use. All forms of tobacco use, from cigarettes to chew to snuff, increase your risk of cancer of all kinds. Quitting can help prevent mouth cancer. Prevention of oral cancer involves managing many factors, but tobacco is one of the most important. If you currently use it, quitting should be your top priority.

Don’t drink in excess

Quitting tobacco use is just one of the ways to prevent oral cancer. Reducing or giving up alcohol is another great tool in your oral cancer prevention toolbox. Excessive drinking can irritate the cells in your mouth, making you more susceptible to cancer. The more often you drink, the higher your risk. If you’re serious about preventing oral cancer, keep your drinks under two a day for men and one a day for women. There is some give and take; having multiple drinks once a month will present a lower risk than drinking two drinks a day for a month.

Brushing and flossing work wonders

Brushing and flossing will keep your mouth healthy. Mouth cancer prevention begins with healthy gums and mouth. A healthy mouth will reduce your risk of oral cancer by keeping your immune system strong. A weak mouth full of bacteria, cuts, and abscesses will weaken your immune system. This allows more potentially cancerous cells to flourish. Brush and floss, and your immune system will stay stronger for longer. Prevention of mouth cancer doesn’t have to be that complicated. Just stay on top of brushing and flossing.

Limit sun exposure

One of the lesser known causes of mouth cancer is sun exposure. You should limit your lips’ exposure to UV light. Not only will it help keep your lips looking younger, it can reduce your risk over all. Oral cancer causes major problems, as it can easily spread. If you have to be out in the sun often, invest in a UV blocking chap stick. You’ll reduce fine lines and wrinkles and engage in oral cancer prevention at the same time.

Visit the dentist regularly

For the most up to date information on mouth cancer, contact your dentist. In general, make appointments for checkups and tooth cleanings and stick with them. While your dentist checks your teeth, they can also look for unusual changes or growths in your mouth. A talk with your dentist about what causes cancer of the mouth will help you identify your highest risk factors. Your dentist can help you put together a plan to reduce them.

Oral cancer is treatable when caught early. Changing your personal habits may prevent oral cancer entirely. Do your part to take an active role in managing your risk. Visit Dr. Cureton, brush and floss, and cut down on sun exposure, alcohol, and tobacco use. You’ll look and feel better, while cutting out causes of mouth cancer.