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.

What’s Tooth Polishing? The Many Benefits of Tooth Polishing.

A wide smile always works wonders. Those perfect white teeth are always appreciated. It's even said that a smile reflects a person's personality. But your tooth enamel turns yellowish or gets stained as individuals go through their everyday lives and different food and drinking habits. To eliminate this effect, we often consult a dentist, and when you return after the visit, you can see an extra bright and gleam in your teeth. Ever wondered why that happens? Let us spill out the secret for you from the best dentists in Al Rigga.

Tooth Polishing

Tooth polishing is a procedure through which you can get your teeth polished and left with shiny, smooth teeth. It involves smoothening the tooth's surface, rendering it shiny and lustrous, reducing the accumulation of plaques while protecting dental health. The yellow tints and irregularities cleared with tooth polishing. It gives your smile an extra radiance.

How is it different from cleaning and whitening?

Often people are misunderstood tooth polishing with cleaning and whitening. Well, cleaning includes removing all the dirt and excess that's stuck in between the teeth and gums. To be exact, these are the layers of plaque. They harden and develop a durable mineral material called tartar. Bacteria can live beneath this tartar and cause dental illnesses, which are removed by a cleaning procedure called scaling. After the scaling process, as the last step dentist does polish. Hence people consider polishing as part of cleaning. Both are done as a preventive measure to control local irritation.

In contrast, teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure. A one-time process where the discoloration is reduced while applying certain substances followed by bleaching. This procedure helps you restores the natural color of teeth. The duration and treatment depend on the degree of discoloration and how badly stained your teeth are. On the other hand, polishing does not whiten the teeth but makes them brighter and shiny.

Good or Bad

The scaling procedure is very healthy and done to remove the dirt and keep the gum healthy. It's a common misconception that polishing, along with this, destroys the enamel. Tooth polishing can impart incredible smoothness and give a finished look to your teeth. It makes you look and feel good. It provides the aesthetic than functionality. Always check with your dentist as selective polishing is done.

Procedures

Tooth polishing is a painless procedure. Once the scaling is done and the dirt is removed. Dentists use a special instrument to polish the teeth. A smooth rubber cup is used where the dentist fills fine, coarse, or medium-quality paste. This rotary tool rotates the cup and aids in the removal of plaque and stains as it is rubbed against the tooth. There is also an air-polishing system for intense polishing. Following a cleaning/polishing consultation, the patient is recommended not to eat or drink for 30 minutes to provide adequate time for fluoride absorption.

Benefits

The first and foremost benefit of dental polishing would be how smooth and shiny it makes to the teeth. Here is the top help on why you should be doing dental polishing regularly from the best dental treatment in Al-Rigga.

- PREVENT CAVITIES
Dental polishing is proven to be effective against cavities. Plaque buildup always leads to wearing out of the teeth' enamel. Tooth polishing removes the transparent film on your teeth and hence eliminates the decay-causing plaque.

- PREVENTS TOOTH LOSS
Plaque aggregation can cause gum diseases. It triggers tooth loss in extreme situations. Gum disease development leads to the destruction of the supporting bone in the jaw, encouraging the teeth to loosen and gradually drop out. By routine polishing combined with good oral hygiene practices, you will reduce the likelihood of this happening.

- FRESHENS YOUR BREATH
Polishing will help you stop uncomfortable, persistent breathing. It will hold your mouth's odor in check. In some cases, daily flossing and grooming aren't sufficient. The most pleasing way to keep your gum odor clear and safe is teeth polishing.

- UP YOUR SMILE GAME
Intake of food or drinks like tea, coffee, wine, etc. It can leave an awful gross stain, and these are staying in, giving yellowish feels. Dental polishing removes stains from building up. It leaves you with new and attractive teeth that are polished. The outcome? A whiter and brighter smile!

- IMPROVES YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
In addition to the benefits to your dental and oral health, Frequent polishing of teeth can further minimize the risks of heart-related diseases. Tooth polishing can help identify early symptoms of underlying heart disease. Dental and general health are linked. Frequent teeth polishing helps minimize the risk of a host of illnesses, such as stroke and heart disease. Your dentist will help diagnose the early signs of a specific condition during your periodic teeth polishing appointments. It helps to combat future threats early on. By maintaining your oral health, you can save a considerable amount of cash in the long run. Repeated polishing visits give the dentist the chance to detect and irradicate the possibility of other dental and health issues as well.

Bottom line

Polishing is not a significant risk. During polishing, plaque, biofilm, stains, and acquired pellicle are removed. It makes your teeth healthier and brighter. It is advised to have you're tooths polished every three months. Get your tooth polishing done by the best dentists in Al-Rigga. And another fascinating feature is that patients respond favorably to the smooth and clean sensation created by polishing. In general, it is less stressful and exhausting than scaling and easier to recognize and handle by the patient. Polishing provides real-time results and can be noticed and felt by patients.

Book your appointments to get your teeth polished at Al-Rigga with the best dental treatment center. Always feel free to ask us if you have any questions about any dental process! At your next appointment, we look forward to seeing you.