It is natural to feel a bit of trepidation whenever visiting a dental clinic, let alone getting a procedure. If the dentist, for example, recommends dental filling, the first thought that comes to mind is pain. However, not many people realize that the application of dental filling is not the cause – if there is – of pain.
In this article, you will know why a dental filling is needed and what could cause any pain during the treatment.
The Problem: Tooth Decay and Tooth Pain
There are many reasons for a tooth to incur damage. Other than accidents, one of the most common causes is tooth decay (Heng). It is a condition caused by the formation of bacteria inside your teeth. Usually, the proliferation of bacteria is due to improper hygiene practices. These destructive organisms not only thrive but also spread from one tooth to another. Eventually, they penetrate deeper into the dental pulp.
Tooth decay ultimately results in dental cavities, which are permanently damaged areas on the surface of the teeth. You may feel discomfort or pain at this time because the holes may have already affected the nerve. To give you more detailed information about tooth decay, you should know about its stages.
The five stages of tooth decay include:
- Mineral Loss. During the earliest stage where tooth decay starts, the tissue on the outer layer of your teeth called enamel starts losing minerals. It occurs as a result of constant exposure of the enamel to acids produced by the bacteria.
- Enamel Tissue Decays. At this stage, the damage is such that it weakens the enamel severely. Holes or dental cavities start forming.
- Dentin Decays Causing Tooth Sensitivity. Under the enamel is a tissue called dentin. It is soft, so the decay rate inside the tooth is faster than on the exterior. The dentin contains tubes that lead to the nerves of the tooth. So when dentin decays, you will start to feel the sensitivity of your tooth, especially when you drink hot or cold drinks.
- Dental Pulp Gets Affected and Causes Pain. The dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, is the innermost layer of the tooth. When tooth decay affects the dental pulp, an irritation occurs. This irritation causes swelling, which then exerts pressure on the nerves and causes pain.
- Formation of Abscess. At this last stage, the infection has deeply penetrated the tooth. Pus forms, causing severe pain. Immediate action is needed to prevent the spread of bacteria into the jaw, neck, and head.
The Solution: Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are materials that dentists apply to the cavities that have formed inside your tooth. Its application can be used as a solution as long as tooth decay has not yet reached stage 4. Otherwise, the procedure that can still help avoid tooth extraction would be a root canal treatment. In some cases, however, it is still possible to save a tooth even after reaching the last stage.
The procedure the dentist follows for dental filling application is as follows:
- The dentist applies a local anesthetic so that patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Suppose you have reached stage 3. In that case, you need to prepare yourself for discomfort as the tooth decay has already affected the nerves, which causes tooth sensitivity.
- All signs of decay will be cleaned using an air abrasion instrument and a drill.
- The preferred dental filling material is then applied to cover the cavities.
- A special ultraviolet light may be applied to quicken the hardening process.
Related article: Why Do You Need Dental Fillings?
Post-Treatment Care and Tooth Sensitivity
After the application of the dental filling, the dentist may prescribe some medicines for you to cope with tooth sensitivity for the time being. In addition, you must follow some rules so as not to damage the dental fillings.
- You need to avoid eating hard foods for the time being.
- Do not directly chew with the tooth that has just been filled.
- Do not drink cold or hot beverages to avoid any discomfort.
Benefits of Having Dental Fillings
When contemplating the cost of a dental filling, consider its benefits. You will see that it is more advantageous than just leaving the bacteria to penetrate your mouth deeply.
- Other than just being used to cure tooth decay, it can also fill up any cracks or holes caused by accidents.
- Tooth fillings can last for more than ten years. Depending on the filling material used, it may even reach 15 years before you need to have the fillings reapplied.
- If you opted to use composite filling, you do not have to worry about aesthetics. This filling material can have the same color as your natural teeth.
- By having tooth fillings applied, you will not have to worry about chewing problems since all the holes have been patched.
Related article: What Are the Different Types of Dental Filling?
Dental Filling Procedure Causes No Tooth Pain – Mostly
Considering the stage wherein tooth decay was not able to reach the dental pulp, it is safe to say that the application of dental fillings will not cause any pain. You do have to be prepared to feel discomfort during the drilling phase of the treatment. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that you create a complete oral hygiene schedule to avoid any risk of having your other teeth get infected.
Always make sure that you are dealing with a licensed dentist to help fix your teeth. For any of your dental concerns, you can contact Osmin Denture Clinic & Premier Dental Health & Facial Esthetic Center Inc. at 647-294-3310.
Sources
Heng, Christine. “Tooth Decay Is the Most Prevalent Disease.” Federal Practitioner, vol. 33, no. 10, 1 Oct. 2016, pp. 31–33, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6373711/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2021.