Dental fillings have been used to restore teeth since the beginning of modern dentistry practices. Dental fillings can be used for many purposes; the most frequent is to heal a cavity. In this article, we’ll talk about the top four situations where a dental filling may be necessary to restore your oral health! 

Cavities Of All Shapes & Sizes

A dentist will be able to quickly assess if you have a cavity that needs to be filled. Fillings are used to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay, which causes cavities to form in the teeth. Tooth decay is caused by the accumulation of food particles and bacteria in between or on the surface of your teeth. If these cavities are not filled quickly, they may grow considerably larger. Dental fillings can last anywhere from a few years to several decades. 

Broken Teeth

White composite fillings can be used to repair chipped or broken teeth. Teeth may break for many reasons: fractures due to physical contact during sports activities, falls, or other accidents. Teeth can also chip from chewing on a hard item, especially if a tooth is already weakened due to decay. The normal aging process can also cause broken teeth and other oral health complications. If you have a chipped or broken tooth, be sure to ask your dentist about the solution that’s right for you.

Teeth Whitening

Dentists may also utilize dental fillings on teeth that have become discolored over time due to prolonged contact with acidic foods and liquids such as wine, coffee, soda, candy, etc. Discoloration can also be caused by teeth clenching and grinding. If you have discolored teeth, talk to your dentist about tooth-colored fillings or other cosmetic dentistry procedures!

Tooth Pain

When a tooth is chipped, fractured, or has a cavity, you’ll likely notice a sharp pain in your mouth, especially when eating and drinking. Dental fillings may be necessary to enhance support and aesthetic uniformity if the structure of a tooth has been damaged. If you’re having tooth pain, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible!

Contact Gentle Dental Maine!

If you have any questions about dental fillings or other restorative dental procedures, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Gentle Dental Maine! With offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham, we’re here to provide the Southern Maine region with the very best family dental care! Give us a call at any one of our offices, or if you’re not yet a patient with us, please fill out the new patient form on our website!