A: That’s when your tooth might have some sort of decay going on and needs to be repaired. However, it’s not on multiple different surfaces of the tooth. It’s not down towards the gumline—it’s not close enough to where we think it’s going to have root and nerve issues. So, what we can do is a much simpler, in and out type 15 to 30-minute procedure. Generally, fillings in Houston will last for many years and it saves the tooth from further reconstruction such as a crown.
The Increasing Need For Fillings In Houston
When you end up needing fillings in Houston, it is directly related to cavities, which are a result of tooth decay. Many people don’t really understand the gravity of this oral disease that is actually quite prevalent in our society.
Tooth decay, a preventable disease — is the second most diagnosed disease, after the common cold.
In fact, one in four adults have cavities, and a staggering 59% of adolescents 12-19 in the US have had cavities. Oral health is often overlooked, yet it is a critical part of our daily life. It’s never too late to get your oral health under control and prevent serious dental issues.
How many times growing up have you had the mantra “brush and floss daily” repeated to you in school? There’s a reason for this sound advice—do you know why brushing and flossing are so important? Well, just take a look at these five key facts about oral disease.
- Oral disease affects almost 4 billion people worldwide, with untreated tooth decay impacting nearly half of the world’s population.
- On a global level, between 60–90% of children and nearly 100% of adults have some degree of tooth decay.
- Severe periodontal disease often results in tooth loss and is found in almost 20% of middle-aged adults.
- Severe periodontitis and untreated tooth decay sit among the top ten most common dental conditions worldwide.
- Less than 40% of people aged 65–74 years worldwide have none of their natural teeth. This number is expected to rise given aging populations.
These statistics, among other related data, is the driving force behind the rising need for fillings in Houston and worldwide. This is why proper dental hygiene and cavity prevention is so important for people of all ages.
Easy Ways To Prevent The Need For Fillings In Houston
While we all know we’re supposed to brush and floss for good dental health, cavities still remain a prevalent problem. Brushing and flossing are definitely the two most crucial habits for keeping teeth and gums healthy. However, there are several other ways you can prevent cavities to avoid the cost of fillings in Houston:
Know Your Risk Level For Cavities
The first thing you can do to take control of your oral health is knowing your risk level for cavities. The most effective way to find this out is through a comprehensive dental exam. In fact, you should get a dental exam at least once a year. With regular examination and discussions with your dentist, you can keep better tabs of your oral health. These discussions can often lead to preventative tips such as changing your diet or improving oral hygiene methods.
Another major plus of knowing your cavity risk level—it will determine the frequency of exams needed for your case. The lower your risk for cavities and needing fillings in Houston, the less often visits will be needed. If your risk is higher, it’s better to have exams more often until the issues, if possible, are corrected.
At Comprehensive Dental Group Of Houston, we take an exploratory, evidence-based approach to preventing cavities.
This is why we recommend seeing us at least once a year or more depending on your oral health and hygiene habits. This helps us catch any potential conditions in their earliest stages. Catching a cavity in its infancy can be the difference between fillings and a discomforting extraction.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly—But With The Right Brush
Obviously brushing regularly goes without saying—after all, your mouth is home to a billion microbes that recycle whatever you ingest. Those microbes leave behind waste from the sugars they consume out of the foods we eat. That waste is a biofilm known as plaque and if left in the mouth, it will turn to acid that eats enamel.
That wearing down of the enamel is the reason cavities can develop and if untreated, will lead to tooth loss. It can also contribute to other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. So, as you can see, brushing regularly can literally save your life.
But make sure you use the right brush—medium is the perfect hardness for bristles. It will do the job without damaging gums and yet not so soft that it’s ineffective. Also, the size of the head is important—naturally, children or those with smaller mouths will need a smaller size.
When Should You Brush?
In a perfect world, you’d brush several times a day—but lives are busy and that’s not practical. However, you can still brush effectively by doing it first thing in the morning and right before bed. Also, make good use of an anti-microbial mouthwash such as Closys. Mouthwash helps carryover the fight against bacteria between brushings and freshens breath too.
If you really want to be vigilant, try keeping a brush and toothpaste kit at work. Crest even makes it easy with these handy portable brushes complete with toothpaste already on them. This will greatly increase your protection against cavities and leaving you with fresh breath.
Restrict Intake Of Sodas And Acidic Beverages
We know most people need their caffeine in the morning to get going. However, often, that caffeine comes in the form of coffee, sodas, or hot tea—all of which can damage enamel. Why? Because these beverages are either acidic, full of sugar, or both. Prolonged consumption of these beverages exposes your teeth to unhealthy levels of sugar and acids. This increases your risk of cavities, which also means you might end up shelling out for fillings in Houston. No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on dental problems that can be prevented.
The problem with sipping coffee, tea, or soda with these enamel eroding substances is those substances hang around. Yes, when you drink that Diet Coke or Starbucks, the acids and sugars linger in your saliva, giving your teeth a beating.
If you must have your caffeine throughout the day, rinse your mouth with water right after. Take it a step further and use mouthwash as well. You can also limit exposure by using a straw, but limiting usage altogether is still the best.
Flossing Can Prevent The Need For Fillings In Houston
Listen, we get it—flossing is inconvenient, awkward, and it can’t just be done in front of everyone. But you’re thinking about it wrong. Our teeth have five sides and they all need to be cleaned regularly. Just because you brush, doesn’t mean you’re covering all sides. When you brush, you’re actually only cleaning three of the five sides of your teeth. That means that overall, you’re barely cleaning half the surface of all your teeth—that’s not good.
Flossing only takes a few moments each day and the more you practice, the easier and more efficient it is. Try multi-tasking and doing it while watching the nightly news, or your favorite morning show. Anytime you can do something to distract from the act of flossing will make it feel less of a burden to you. You’ll find that doing it this way, you’re more likely to develop a solid flossing habit.
Don’t Use Tobacco Products
Everyone knows tobacco products whether smoking or using chewing tobacco can cause cancer and many other deadly diseases. In fact, over 16 million Americans are afflicted with a disease resulting from tobacco use.
But did you know that tobacco usage also does more than just stain your teeth? It can lead to gum disease, weakened roots, tooth loss, and of course oral cancer. Those are all just additional reasons to never start smoking or cease now if you do. You greatly increase your life expectancy simply by quitting.
If You Already Need Fillings In Houston—We Have You Covered
If you’re already struggling with a toothache or known cavities, don’t let them go untreated. Often, a cavity can be caught early and mitigate damage. Fillings are the perfect way to stop further decay that can turn minor to major quickly.
Don’t hesitate, contact us today for a free consultation and a sensible solution to save your teeth.
