Tooth decay causes cavities. When left untreated, cavities result in infection, pain, and tooth loss. Getting cavities filled helps stop the decay and protect your teeth. This process involves replacing the decayed tooth material with gold, porcelain, or resin fillings. Splendid Dental Woodlands offers restorative dentistry services such as dental fillings and sealants to boost your dental health.
Does Getting a Cavity Filled Hurt?
One of the primary reasons people avoid dental treatment is the fear of pain. To deal with this anxiety, dentists use local anesthesia to numb the region near the tooth getting a dental filling. They may give the sedative in the form of an injection, oral tablets, or nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. This treatment helps prevent pain and discomfort that a patient is likely to feel during the process.
After anesthesia effects wear off, one may experience mild soreness caused by keeping the mouth open during the session. However, this feeling is normal and often reduces after a short time, even without using medication. The drilling involved when removing decayed material can also irritate the nerves and increase teeth sensitivity. So, it is advisable to avoid eating or drinking cold and hot food afterward to prevent discomfort.
What to Expect When Getting a Cavity Filled
Cavity filling is a simple and upfront process that can occur in one dental appointment. Dentists first conduct some tests to assess the decay extent and discuss the results with a patient. They then prepare the client for the practice by administering a local sedative to numb the gum and ease tension.
After this, a dentist will isolate the decayed tooth or teeth using a rubber band to allow easy access. This band can prevent moisture from slowing down the bonding process and protect one from swallowing tooth particles. The next step involves removing the decayed tooth part using a laser or drill and cleaning the area to kill bacteria. A dentist will then place the filling material in the cavity space to protect the tooth from further decay. The final step is to smoothen the tooth surface using a file to ensure that it does not affect chewing.
Practices to Observe After Cavity Filling
After getting a dental filling, a dentist may advise you to use mouthwash to prevent infection and swelling. It is also good to observe some measures after the treatment to avoid damaging the filling material. One way is to keep away from sticky and chewy food that may dislocate or crack the filling.
Brushes that have rough or stiff bristles can scratch the dental inlay and increase teeth sensitivity. So, it advisable to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid applying too much pressure when cleaning teeth. Other ways you can care for dental fillings include:
- Avoid or reduce tobacco use and staining foods like tea
- Visit a dentist for professional teeth cleaning
- Seek medical help in case of persistent pain
- Observe proper oral hygiene
- Avoid bad oral habits like biting nails and pens
Clenching teeth, especially when sleeping, can damage the tooth enamel and crack filling material. It is vital to wear a mouthguard at night to prevent these harmful effects and increase dental fillings’ lifespan. You can also wear this device when playing sports to protect your teeth from chipping and breaking.
Reach Out to Splendid Dental Woodlands to Get a Cavity Filled
Cavity filling is an ideal way to repair damaged teeth and protect you against further decay and infection. At Splendid Dental Woodlands, we provide restorative dentistry services such as dental filling to improve your well-being. Our specialists will assess your needs and budget to advise on the most suitable filling material. They will also plan follow-up sessions to ensure that you observe and maintain good oral hygiene. Contact Splendid Dental Woodlands now at 713-587-9996 to schedule a cavity filling and evaluation session.
