White Fillings.

The main causes of tooth decay is a HIGH SUGAR diet and POOR BRUSHING technique.

Plaque contains bacteria and this builds up on your teeth throughout the day. As you eat and drink something sugary, the bacteria uses the sugar and turns it into acid.

Over time, and with repeated and frequent episodes of sugary exposure, the acid the bacteria produce can slowly erode tooth enamel.

As your tooth enamel weakens, the risk for decay increases. Cavities start small and gradually become bigger when they are left untreated.

Many cavities don’t cause pain in the beginning, so it can be hard to even know you have a problem, this is why it is important to see your dentist regularly for check ups.

Catching things early is essential to preserving the health of the tooth. It often means less intervention is needed, preserves your beautiful smile, and leads to a better success rate of your teeth lasting your lifetime.

Everyone is at risk for cavities, but some people have a higher risk. These include:

• Consuming too many sugary or acidic foods and drinks

• A poor oral hygiene routine, such as failing to brush or floss daily

• Not getting enough fluoride

• A dry mouth

• Eating disorders and acid reflux disease

• Pain or sensitivity

• Bad breath or taste

• Food getting stuck between your teeth

• Discouloured tooth – usually black or white staining

• Sharp or visibly broken tooth

• Poor oral hygeine and high sugar intake

• Brush for at least 2 minutes twice a day

• Floss or use interdental brushes to clean between your teeth daily

• Use a fluoride containing toothpaste

• After you finish brushing spit out the toothpaste but don’t rinse out after

• Limit your sugary food and drink intake to no more than 3-4 times per day and keep them to your mealtimes only

• Throughout the day drink water and avoid sugary and acidic drinks

Yes in most cases this is an option for you, and is a common treatment we carry out here at Dental Art. Contact us to book in a consultation and check-up to discuss this further with one of our dentists.

When a larger filling is required, this can weaken a tooth and often an ONLAY is a better option (follow the link for more information).

Onlays are similar to dental Crowns, but are less invasive and preserve more of your natural tooth structure. They are intended to replicate the natural contours of teeth and act to protect and restore the tooth back to its original strength.

Most commonly we use natural tooth coloured porcelain Onlays, but there are other options which may be better suited to you. Your dentist will discuss which option would be best for you.

There are numerous advantages in using Onlays, including:

• Minimal tooth reduction

• Strength restored to your tooth

• Flawless aesthetics. By their very nature they blend right in complementing the surrounding teeth.