Dental Fillings: 7 Myths And Facts

Cavity- a word that takes us back to childhood days when we were warned not to have too many chocolates. Those creepy-looking germs from toothpaste advertisements would attack us while we were asleep. We would wake up crying, and mom would take us to the dentist. And he gives us the dreaded news: There is a cavity which needs to be filled!

A dental filling is the most mistaken dental procedure of all time. With so many myths attached to dental fillings, let's debunk them here and learn facts.

  1. MYTH: A CAVITY LEFT UNTREATED IS NO BIG DEAL.

FACT: can worsen with time and affect other organs in the long run.

The primary advice that your dentist will give you once you are diagnosed with a cavity is to get it filled. If a mild infection is beginning to cause decay of your teeth, it is sorted out with a cavity. If you do not heed his advice, the infection is bound to penetrate deep into the dental pulp and nerves. And root canal would be the only solution to treat it. Apart from the extra expenses, it would also mean that you go through unbearable pain, difficulty in eating, swelling of the gums and face, and sometimes fever.

So DO NOT leave a cavity untreated.

  1. MYTH: THE METAL USED IN DENTAL FILLINGS CAUSES CANCER

FACT: There are body-friendly fillings in composite resin or porcelain ceramic.

People who have this false notion opt-out of a dental filling, thinking, "now it's just a cavity, later it could be cancer."

All modern dentists at well-established dental clinics such as Whiteline Dental Clinic prescribe body-friendly fillings instead of metal amalgam fillings. They do not cause any harm to your body; instead, they aid in pain relief and preservation of damaged teeth.

  1. MYTH: IT HURTS TO GET A TOOTH FILLED

FACT: It is a painless procedure as we will give your local anesthesia.

The only pain you will experience during a filling is when you receive the anesthetic. It makes the area feel numb to almost an hour even after the procedure.

So, it's time to put your worries to rest.

  1. MYTH: MY DENTIST TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A CAVITY, BUT I DON’T HAVE A TOOTHACHE. SO I DON’T NEED A FILLING.

FACT: Not all cavities hurt in the beginning.

On a regular visit to your dentist, he might have caught a cavity at an early stage. Even though you may not be experiencing any symptoms yet, the cavity will worsen if left untreated.

  1. MYTH: KIDS WITH CAVITIES IN THEIR MILK TEETH DO NOT NEED FILLINGS.

FACT: Healthy milk teeth ensure healthy permanent teeth.

Most parents are hesitant to treat cavities in their child's milk teeth, as they think they will fall out soon anyway. But untreated decays in milk teeth can result in them falling out earlier than usual, creating gaps, and affecting the alignment and growth of permanent teeth in the future.

So, make sure you give the utmost care to your children's dental health.

  1. MYTH: FILLINGS ARE FOREVER.

FACT: Fillings need to be taken care of.

The reason you got a tooth filled was due to bacteria eating up parts of your tooth, leading to a cavity. But even after a filling, a bacterial attack can happen around the filling, causing it to crack or fall out. So regular brushing, flossing, and the use of a fluoride-based mouthwash recommended by your dentist can go a long way in preserving your dental fillings and general dental health.

  1. MYTH: ALL FILLINGS WILL NEED REPLACEMENT EVENTUALLY

FACT: If taken care of well, dental fillings do not need a replacement for years or even a lifetime.

We have had many patients asking us when do they need to visit again for a replacement. We have had to educate them that once a dental filling is prepared and placed perfectly, which is a sure shot in the hands of expert dentists at Whiteline Dental Clinic, Dubai, it can last for many years to come. It can even last a lifetime if you are someone who maintains dental hygiene.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

Only those who have ever experienced a toothache in their life know how excruciating it can be. A toothache is accompanied mainly by swelling of the gums and face, extreme sensitivity, mouth odor, and sometimes even fever. We often end up trying to find an immediate solution with an over-the-counter painkiller. But the underlying infection will soon lead us to the dentist. Gone are the days when extracting the infected tooth was the only available option. By then, the infection would have penetrated deep, affecting the pulp and nerves. With a root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, as your savior, you can preserve your natural tooth and completely get rid of the infection, for it is done from the very root.

How root canal treatment done?

Once your dentist diagnoses the infection with invasive methods such as dental X-rays, he will suggest you undergo root canal treatment.

- Your dentist removes the infected pulp and nerves.

- The area is then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

- It is then filled and sealed with a rubbery material called gutta-percha.

- Crown or filling is used as a vital element to ensure that you can chew and bite food.

Why root canal?

- A PERMANENT RELIEF FROM PAIN

As root canal treatment involves identifying the root cause of the infection and then resolving it from the roots, it's implausible that the pain will relapse.

- AVOID SPREADING THE INFECTION

If left untreated, it is not only a tooth that gets affected. The infection is likely to spread to neighboring teeth, jawbones, and sometimes even the brain. Root canal treatment eliminates the root cause of the infection by removing the pulp and nerves involved, thereby offering a solution without further complications.

- A PAINLESS PROCEDURE

The word 'root canal' scares people. They have somehow gotten to believe that it is a painful procedure. But with local anesthesia, during treatment, you won't feel any pain. Even kids these days undergo root canal treatments and leave the clinic smiling!

- SAVES NATURAL TEETH

How would it be if an infected tooth meant getting it removed? It would drastically affect your eating habits and smile. A root canal helps you get rid of the infection while preserving your natural teeth.

- QUICK RECOVERY

You will be able to recover from the effect of the root canal treatment on the same day or within two-three days. You can then continue eating all the food that you have typically been having.

- IT IS FOREVER

If you are someone who maintains good dental hygiene through brushing, and flossing, a tooth on which root canal treatment has been performed, will leave you devoid of pain and worries for a lifetime.

- MAINTAIN YOUR NATURAL SMILE

A beautiful smile is something that everyone wishes to possess. And dental health is a significant contributor to the beauty of your smile. If it weren't for root canal treatment, an infected tooth would mean extraction. You would have ended up losing a handful of teeth, and imagine how awkward your smile would be! So keep smiling with the root canal.

- EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE

Root canal treatments do not burn a hole in your pockets at all. It is advisable to opt for root canal treatment once diagnosed with infection rather than quick remedies. Root canal, being a permanent solution, is an affordable one-time investment. Extraction of the infected tooth would have to be followed by a costly implant.

- EASILY AVAILABLE

All dental clinics offer root canal treatments as tooth decay and infection is commonplace now. But it is always recommended to go to a reputed dental clinic with expert dentists such as the Whiteline Dental Clinic if you reside in Dubai.

- IMPROVES GENERAL HEALTH

An infected tooth left untreated can have implications on general health. We recommend visiting your dentist every six months to ensure the wellness of both your teeth and gums.

If you have any more queries regarding root canal treatment, feel free to reach out to us.

If you have any more queries regarding root canal treatment, feel free to reach out to us.