Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Even if you are diligent about your oral hygiene and your diet, odds are you will have a cavity at some point in your life. In fact, information from the National Institute of Health shows that 90% of American adults have either a cavity or a filling. Here are some of the signs that you need to watch for that indicate that you may need a filling.
Sign 1: A visible cavity
You look in the mirror and there it is–a dark spot on one of your teeth. If you see an area of discoloration that looks gray or black on a tooth, contact your dentist in Okemos as soon as possible. If that dark spot is an area of decay and it has not created a hole in your tooth yet, the repair job could be minimal.
Sign 2: Tooth pain
No matter where it occurs in your body, pain is a sign that something is wrong. Tooth pain may be constant or intermittent; it may manifest as a dull throb or a sharp twinge. Regardless of the specifics, tooth pain indicates you need to be examined by an experienced and highly-trained dentist. A cavity usually does not cause pain unless it spreads to the dental pulp, the soft interior of a tooth. This may require a root canal to treat the issue.
Sign 3: Heightened sensitivity
Does that hot cup of coffee or ice cream cone cause a zing of sensitivity in your mouth? If so, you may have an untreated cavity. A cavity creates heightened tooth sensitivity because it creates a hole in your tooth that allows either heat or cold to penetrate the structure of a tooth, potentially reaching all the way to the dental nerve.
Sign 4: Damage to an existing filling
Unfortunately fillings are not always built to last. If you have an old filling that becomes loose or falls out, this means you should seek prompt treatment from your dentist in Lansing. A damaged or missing filling leaves the structure of the tooth compromised and more susceptible to damage and fracture. A missing filling also can make that tooth more vulnerable to additional decay. Regular checkups every six months help ensure all of your dental restorations remain in good function.
Metal-free fillings in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
For years, getting a filling meant receiving a restoration made of dental amalgam – a substance that is metallic in appearance. Also known as silver fillings, these restorations are prone to cracking and also expand and contract in response to the temperature changes that occur in the mouth when you eat and drink. In addition, these fillings create dark spots in your smile. Today, state-of-the-art dental practices like Tenaglia Smiles offer tooth-colored fillings. These restorations are made of a composite material, are more reliable and can be adjusted to match the shade of the other healthy teeth in your mouth, allowing your filling to blend in with your smile. If you are experiencing any of the signs listed above, schedule an appointment with Tenaglia Smiles to find out more about our filling procedures. Just call (517) 347-6733 or visit us online.