Sugars and starches from the food and drinks you consume can get stuck on your teeth, which causes a sticky plaque to form and create decay called cavities. The acids in the plaque attack your tooth’s enamel, opening tiny holes that require dental fillings. If cavities do develop, timely intervention with dental fillings is crucial to prevent further decay and restore the tooth's structure.

If you’re unsure whether you have a cavity, pay attention to the following symptoms:

• Toothaches
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain when you chew
• Holes in your tooth
• Brown or black stains on your tooth

It’s important to watch out for any of these symptoms because if your cavity grows, it can affect deeper layers of your tooth, which can lead to extensive damage or infection, tooth loss, jaw bone loss, or the need for a root canal.

While cavities are one of the most common health problems worldwide, there are ways to reduce your chances of having one. These include:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
• Flossing and using mouthwash at least once a day
• Limiting the amount of acidic and sugary drinks and food

Because cavities don’t always show outward symptoms, it’s important you visit Brite Smiles Dental Care a minimum of twice a year for dental checkups and teeth cleanings. Regular visits allow our team to utilize advanced tools like Spectra® cavity detection, which specializes in the early detection of cavities. By identifying cavities early, we can provide prompt treatment with dental fillings to prevent further damage and maintain your oral health.

Brite Smiles Dental Care provides long-lasting, safe, and reliable tooth-colored dental fillings in Apple Valley to preserve your tooth’s structure after Dr. Simmons or Dr. Zuidema removes the decayed material. Gone are the days of the black mercury amalgam fillings.

To determine whether you need a filling, your dentist conducts a dental examination and looks for cavities. If your dentist can’t see any visible signs of one and suspects one, they can take X-rays to look for tooth decay.

If your dentist finds that you need a tooth filling, they take out the decay in your tooth and replace it with a tooth-colored filling. Lastly, they use a special curing light to harden the filling material.

The fillings are strong and resistant to wear, so they tend to last 5-10 years or longer. Regular dental check-ups will ensure your fillings remain in optimal condition, maintaining the health and integrity of your smile for years to come.