Dental Fillings in Huntington Beach, CA
Dental decay is among the most widespread diseases in the United States. Only the common cold is more prevalent. When you get cavities in teeth, our dentist at Beach City Dental will clean them out and place fillings in Huntington Beach, CA to keep the decay from spreading. Fortunately, you can prevent cavities by developing good dental hygiene habits.
What Causes Cavities?
Most cavities result from plaque bacteria forming on teeth and eating away at tooth enamel, which is a process known as demineralization. Plaque is a clear or yellowish liquid that is a combination of saliva, food residue, and fluids. It forms every day on your teeth and sticks to teeth.
Fortunately, you can easily brush plaque away, which is why brushing your teeth twice a day is essential. If you don’t brush it away, it can harden and form tartar, which then requires help from our dentist in Huntington Beach, CA to remove from the surfaces of your teeth. When you brush your teeth, it is also vital to use fluoride toothpaste or gel to remineralize tooth enamel.
Choosing a Dental Filling
When plaque or tartar bacteria eats through the enamel on a tooth, you may experience some discomfort indicating you have a cavity. You may get a twinge of pain when drinking cold or hot liquids, sucking in air into your mouth, or you may develop a toothache if you ignore minor cavity symptoms.
Our dentist near you will examine the tooth, clean out all the decay, and fill it in to keep decay from spreading. Dentists have several materials available for fillings from which you can choose. They include:
- Silver Amalgam
- Cast Gold
- Porcelain
- Composite Resin
- Plastic
- Glass Ionomer
If you want a filling that doesn’t stand out when you laugh or smile, porcelain, composite resin, and plastic fillings near you come in tooth-colored options. Our dentist can determine the shade of your teeth and order or mix the filling material in that color.
How Long Does a Filling Last?
Depending on the filling that you choose, it can last anywhere from five to fifteen or more years. If you think that you have a cavity, contact Beach City Dental for an appointment. Our dentist in Huntington Beach, CA can fill your cavity and suggest ways to prevent others.