If you have never visited a dentist for a dental filling, you might have heard that filling tooth cavities involves a lot of drilling. Some people feel that the amount of drilling work done is not proportional to the size of the tooth cavities. This article will explain why dentists have to drill wide and deep before filling tooth cavities.
How are tooth cavities formed?
To understand why drilling is needed, it is essential first to understand how tooth cavities come about. Tooth cavities result from tooth decay. Sugary food substances may build up on your teeth over time. When these substances combine with saliva and bacteria, they release acids. These acids gradually dissolve the enamel. If the enamel is eroded at a faster rate than it is replaced, cavities form. Tooth decay can also originate from the inner layers of the teeth. This happens when food substances build up at the root of the tooth. Gum disease can also cause tooth decay.
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Why must there be drilling?
When you visit a dentist for a dental filling, the dentist will first numb the gums to reduce pain. After that, the dentist cannot just go ahead and fill the cavity. If they do so, the bacteria causing the decay will remain in the tooth and cause further decay. Furthermore, the parts of the tooth that are in the early stages of tooth decay will eventually dissolve and create another cavity.
Filling a tooth cavity seeks to achieve two goals. First, it should replace the damaged parts of the tooth. Second, the dental filling should prevent the decay-causing bacteria from damaging the remaining sections of the tooth. The dentist is therefore forced to drill to remove any traces of bacteria. They must also remove any portion that has started decaying.
Not all drilling involves removing bacteria and decayed tooth parts. Sometimes, dentists are forced to drill healthy portions of the tooth. For example, when the cavity is tiny, the dentist is forced to dig to create a sufficient working space. Furthermore, some cavities lie deep inside the tooth. This is common for tooth decays that start at the root of the tooth. Such decays erode the inner layers of the tooth. The dentist will, therefore, have to drill to access the cavity.
It is almost impossible to conduct a thorough dental filling procedure without drilling. The amount of drilling done depends on the extent of the bacterial attack and the location of the cavity.
How to take care of your teeth
The build-up of sugary food substances is the primary cause of tooth cavities. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste. If tooth decay is discovered in its early stages, it will be easier to treat. It is, hence, advisable to visit a dentist frequently for dental check-ups.
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