Pediatric Dental Fillings Specialist in Sacramento, CA

Dental fillings repair and stabilize a tooth that is otherwise damaged or unhealthy. Fillers are most commonly used to treat cavities – an open pocket in the tooth caused by decay. However, they can also be used to repair cracked, broken, and eroded teeth. 

A filling can be composed of different materials, with many of them being a composite of different mouth-safe substances. Some of these materials include:

• Gold
• Porcelain
• Silver amalgam 
• Composite resin 
• Glass Ionomer

Your dental practitioner will make a recommendation of the type of filling best suited to you and your unique situation. Suggestions will vary depending on the location of the damaged tooth, the extent of the damage and/or decay, the cost of filling material, and your insurance coverage. 

On average, you can expect a filling to last about 10 years. However, this will depend on a few factors such as the type of filling that you get, maintaining good oral hygiene practices, and any coinciding dental issues or medical conditions at play. 

Other factors that may affect the longevity of a filling are: 

• any cracks and/or trauma to the tooth
• grinding your teeth, either awake or sleeping 
• levels of decay present around the filling 
• your eating habits

Your dentist will provide you with proper after-care instructions for maintaining your filling. They will be able to provide a maintenance plan to keep teeth strong and healthy so that you have the best chance of avoiding having to go in for premature filling replacements.   

While some people have a genetic predisposition that makes them more likely to suffer from cavities, a good portion of cavity prevention comes from good oral care and regular dental hygiene checkups. 

Good oral health practices that can help you maintain the longevity and wellness of your teeth are: 

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, preferably after eating or drinking
• Floss daily, either after meals or at the end of the night 
• Use a mouthwash that has fluoride as an active ingredient 
• Visit your dentist regularly, at least once a year
• Consider dental sealants or fluoride treatment during your next routine dental visit. Both of these can help safeguard the enamel of the teeth
• Eat tooth-healthy foods and avoid foods that get stuck in the grooves of the teeth 
• Consider antibacterial treatments. Your dentist may recommend special antibacterial mouth rinses to help cut down on harmful bacteria in your mouth

It’s always best to talk to your dentist before making significant changes to your dental routine. Ask them for recommendations about what you can do, both at home and in-clinic, to safeguard the health of your teeth.

One of the most common misconceptions out there is that cavities in the baby’s teeth don’t need to be filled. They’re going to fall out anyways, right? This, however, is not the case. 

If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect the deeper layers of your child’s teeth. This can lead to severe toothaches, infection of the gum tissue, abscesses, and tooth loss. It’s also important that baby teeth stay in the mouth as long as possible because they help guide, position, and develop the adult teeth. If they need to be prematurely extracted, it can have long-term dental implications and increases the likelihood of your child needing orthodontic treatment down the line. 

Trust the professionals at Bubbles Dental for treatment and care you can rely on. The oral health and well-being of your child are our number one priority, and we make sure that they feel comfortable and safe during every step of their visit. Contact us today for more information about our services or book an appointment online – we’d be happy to look after your child’s teeth. You can also visit our clinic located at 6030 S Land Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95822. We serve patients from Sacramento CA, Lemon Hill CA, Pocket CA, Meadowview CA, Greenhaven CA, Hollywood Park CA, and surrounding areas.