Why You Should Get a Filling Even if Your Cavity Doesn't Hurt

You may be wondering why it’s necessary to get a cavity filled if it isn’t causing you pain. But even if they don’t hurt, cavities can cause further damage to your teeth. Dental fillings help prevent that future damage, as well as the discomfort it could bring!

What Are Cavities?

A cavity happens when bacterial acids create a small hole in your tooth. These acids are created by the bacteria in your mouth mostly using the sugar in food particles. You can help prevent the formation of cavities by brushing & flossing your teeth every day & visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning. 

If you visit your dentist regularly & keep up with your daily brushing, you probably won’t have any cavities at all! Even if you do, they’re more likely to be much smaller & easier to treat the more you maintain your oral health habits. Some cavities, if caught early, can be treated with fluoride to restore the enamel that protects the tooth, but many cavities are treated with dental fillings. 

How Fillings Work

Unfortunately, we can’t just cover up the damage to your teeth from a cavity & expect it to get better. Because teeth aren’t able to heal themselves when they get damaged or infected, fillings are used to prevent further damage or decay to your teeth. 

Dentists treat cavities by first removing the areas of decay, then filling the area with a strong material that will mimic the hardness of your tooth. The materials used in dental fillings range from gold & silver to composite resin & porcelain. What material your dentist uses will depend on your budget & aesthetic preferences. 

Pain is caused by the decay eating through your tooth, so even if you don’t feel pain, getting a cavity filled will prevent the decay from spreading & causing pain in the future. 

Fillings Prevent Problems in the Future

Not only do fillings treat the tooth decay currently present on your tooth, but they also help prevent further damage. Removing areas of tooth decay halts the decay process, so if a cavity goes untreated for too long, it can expand deeper into your tooth & even ultimately destroy the tooth. Fillings are an easy way to help save your tooth!