Why you might need a dental filling
A dental filling is used to fill a cavity (a hole that has formed in your teeth) or other damage such as a chipped tooth or acid erosion. Cavities get bigger over time, so the sooner they’re spotted and filled, the less likely you are to have problems later. That’s why regular checkups are important.
Without treatment, a cavity or chipped tooth can lead to toothache, bad breath, infection, and even the fracturing or loss of your tooth
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- Tooth decay – is the most common cause of fillings. Plaque forms when bacteria feed on the sugars and starches left on your teeth by food or drink. The acids in plaque soften and dissolve your enamel (the hard-protective coating on your teeth), causing tiny holes which then grow bigger.
- Acid erosion – Your protective enamel coating can get worn away by acids in certain foods and drinks, or with some medical conditions like re flux or hiatus hernia.
- Chipping–You might have a broken or chipped tooth as part of an injury, or after eating something very hard. This can expose the inner parts of the tooth and lead to erosion over time.
- Abrasion and attrition – This is when teeth get worn, perhaps if you brush them too aggressively or if you grind your teeth
If you require a filling you may want to consider having a white filling rather than metal one. White fillings are a good aesthetic and functional solution. They look nice, giving your teeth a more natural appearance without any metal being visible, and as they are bonded to the tooth less tooth surface needs to be removed, they are also very hard and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew. White fillings are available at Chapel House dentistry for both front and back teeth.
Some patients also choose to improve their cosmetic appearance by having old metal fillings replaced for white fillings.