Ever since we were children, our parents have reminded us of the importance of brushing our teeth, flossing every day and of avoiding eating too much candy. The reason they do this is because they want us to take steps to prevent tooth decay. As you have grown older, no doubt you have maintained these good oral health habits. Still, even though you brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth every day and avoid sugary foods, it is likely that you have had at least one cavity.
The truth is that only one percent of the world’s population is immune to cavities. The other 99 percent of us will have at least one cavity in our life. Tooth decay needs to be treated immediately. If it is not immediately addressed, an infection will ensue, or there will be a painful dental abscess.
If cavities are not immediately addressed, it may end up requiring you to get a root canal or even to get your tooth extracted to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth. And in worst case scenarios, untreated tooth infections can actually affect a person’s heart.
Dentists repair cavities by using fillings. There are lots of different filling materials available. The most common filling material is a metal amalgam. However, metal amalgam fillings are becoming less and less popular as the negative effects of having metal in your mouth are becoming better understood. Now, more and more people are opting for composite fillings.
There are a lot of benefits to getting a composite filling. For one, unlike metal amalgam fillings, composite fillings do not change shape over time. Additionally, they can be colored to match the shade of your surrounding teeth.
Composite fillings are long-lasting, they are dependable and they provide a functional and cosmetically pleasing form of dental restoration.
You might wonder if you are a good candidate for composite fillings. Composite fillings are perfect for people of almost any age. Unlike metal fillings, they do not have any trace amounts of mercury.
The FDA has approved metal amalgam fillings for use on individuals who are not pregnant and who are not allergic to metal. Composite fillings, on the other hand, are metal-free and do not come with these restrictions.
Composite fillings address tooth decay while at the same time allowing a person to maintain the aesthetic beauty of their teeth. They are perfect for anyone regardless of age who wants to have a healthy, strong smile.
With locations in Champions Gate and Winter Haven, Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry proudly offers composite fillings as a durable, safe and effective way to repair a damaged tooth. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.