White Fillings Are a Natural Looking Solution for Your Dental Needs

Most people need white fillings at some point in their life. This procedure has become so common that it is literally the one thing most people associate with dental work. For us, this is a regularly performed procedure, often several times a day. As people are exposed to foods that are high in starch and sugar, the need for dental fillings grows. This is because a dental filling is necessary to fill a tiny hole in the tooth’s enamel, known as a cavity. Cavities are a direct result of bacterial acid secretions which cause the enamel to be worn away. Bacteria exist in their natural form in the mouth, where they tend to colonize the teeth. You can tell that you have bacteria by the thin layer on your teeth known as plaque. When this bacteria is exposed to sugars or starches, it will secret acids, and these acids ultimately are responsible for cavities. While many of our patients know how and why cavities form, very few are away that the tooth actually works constantly to avoid cavities. Using calcium and phosphate, which are naturally found in saliva, along with fluoride, and water, the teeth repair damaged enamel slowly. Unfortunately, the acid often gets overwhelming, and when this happens you get a cavity.

White fillings may seem routine, and maybe even a little boring, but there is nothing stale about the technology or the effort that is constantly being put in to improve these little tooth savers. Patients, for example, have always been more comfortable with a filling that is a natural looking. For many years, most fillings were either gold or a silver color, which stood out. To make them more attractive and natural looking, we offer a better solution. A white filling composite which consists of plastic and glass, and can be made in any color to match the surface of your teeth. These natural colored composite dental fillings made it so that you cannot even tell that you have a filling.

The largest challenge with white fillings is the occurrence of bacteria. When we clean out a cavity, we have to make sure to remove all the bacteria, completely sanitize the area, and remove any enamel that may have been compromised as well. The University of Maryland Dental School may have an innovative idea to solve this problem. They have been working on a new kind of filling that would kill any residual bacteria and allow the tooth to start healing normally. Ultimately the goal for all dental scientists is to allow the tooth to do its own work, healing naturally. This new solution incorporates both silver nano-particles and ammonia into its preparation. Each of these is known to be an antibacterial component that will kill cavity-causing bacteria instantly.  While there is still a lot of testing to be done on this particular product, we are definitely moving in the direction of a more holistic approach to dental fillings. We can discuss all of these options with you in further detail when you come in for your appointment.

How to Save Money When Visiting Our Dental Office

In our local dental office, we understand that most of our patients live on a budget and saving money is important. The larger your family is; the more important this can be as paying for medical bills for one person can be difficult, paying for six is even harder. As a family dentist, we want all of our patients to be able to afford the dental health care that they need. Using these tips can make it possible.

Practice at-home care. Taking care of your teeth at home is an important way to keep your teeth and your kids teeth, in great health. It starts with eating a healthy diet that includes green leafy vegetables, lean protein, dairy products, and complex carbs in addition to drinking plenty of water. Try to eliminate sugar from your diet since it can increase your risk of cavities. You also need to brush teeth throughout the day and floss at least daily. This will help to remove sugar, bacteria, and plaque before an infection starts.

Brush correctly. When brushing your teeth take the time to make a circular motion that starts at the gum line and works towards the center of your mouth.  Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for the biggest impact. We can suggest ways to improve your technique in our dental office.

Wear a mouth guard. You can prevent the athletes in your family from getting tooth injuries by wearing a mouth guard while playing sports. The American Dental Association estimates that this prevents over 200,000 high school and college football injuries every year in addition to protecting adults, younger children, and those playing other sports. By protecting teeth, you can prevent the expense of a restoration or tooth replacement.

Get teeth cleaned. You should have your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year. Most dental insurance companies cover teeth cleanings as preventative care. This is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and infections so with some simple preventative care that is typically low or no cost; you can reduce the chance of needing an expensive procedure down the road.

Schedule treatments. There are certain treatments we can do to protect and strengthen your teeth. This includes completing a fluoride treatment or applying sealant as needed. These procedures are typically done in children but can be used on adults as well.

Know your options. If your tooth is damaged and needs to be restored or has fallen out and must be replaced, we have multiple ways for doing so. Let us know what your financial concerns are, and we can recommend a treatment plan that fits within your budget.

In our dental office, we also provide financing solutions that make getting dental work done affordable and possible. While you may not have the funds you need at that moment, you can still take care of your health by using this creative option. Otherwise, we can discuss payment plans with you.  In the meantime, avoid needing a costly procedure by practicing preventative care.

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