By Dr Yasir Israr
You could not keep your hands off the sweets and are starting to feel the stinging effect of cold water, on a particular tooth. Upon consulting with your dentist, you are informed that a filling needs to be done to solve your problem. Like anyone you are uncertain of what to expect after, here are some things which need to be kept in mind beforehand.
Trust your dentist
There is a substantial number of bacteria in that carious spot and letting it have its way will eventually lead to losing all of your teeth, be proactive and have the dentist clean out the bacteria and replace the lost structure with an inert material. First is the need for a dental filling which is very important as some people might think they can tolerate the pain.
How long do tooth fillings last?
There is a common misconception that fillings may last forever, so expectations are high, and people often get disappointed. You have just destroyed a tooth, one of the most rigid structures in the human body. How long do you think a filling will last if you keep up with your detrimental habits? A well-done filling might last on average above five years, and more depends on how you maintain oral hygiene and eating habits. Or it can be broken the next day if you try to crack walnuts with it.
Cost of the dental filling
The cost of fillings is of great concern to people, and opting for cheaper fillings is just inviting more expenses down the road. Invest wisely in a good dentist and an appropriate filling to avoid inconveniences in the future. Remember, the dentist is charging you for the cost of dental materials used along with his experience as a clinician. Hence it is better to invest wisely in a good dentist and an appropriate filling to avoid inconveniences in the future.
The treatment will require anaesthesia
The procedure is mostly painless, but rarely, one does need anaesthesia to numb any sensitivity during deep carious lesions. Your dentist will also have advised you beforehand of the need for it. The dentist will use an instrument to remove caries and replace them with a tooth-coloured material that is ready to use immediately.
What to expect after the procedure?
As a precaution stay away from any hot or cold foods for some two days. Also, expect some level of discomfort for a day, but if it persists, a revisit should be scheduled.
They say prevention is better than the cure, and this is definitely the case when it comes to dental fillings. By practicing good oral health, such as brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing regularly, and limiting your intake of sugary snacks, you can help to keep the bacteria at bay that can cause dental cavities and thus help avoid any future fillings.
-The author is a contributing writer at Dental News and can be reached at yasirisrar533@gmail.com. Follow Yasir on Instagram: @dr_yasirisrar
