3 Things You Should Know About Tooth Fillings
For most people, the first experience they have with dental work will be the simple process of having a cavity filled. But as routine as a trip to the dentist may be for a filling, there are a few things you should know about them.
1. Fillings don't last forever
It may be disheartening to go to a dentist only to find that you need a filling replaced, but this is normal. Although it is common for people to think that they should only have a filling replaced when it falls out, the truth is that fillings don't last a lifetime. Sometimes there can be decay that begins to show on the outside edges of the filling, and this will mean that it will need to be taken out, and the tooth refilled. Sometimes your filling can become loose for various reasons, but when your dentist notices this, it will also need to be replaced. By having the filling replaced, it will help to save your tooth from decay.
2. Amalgam fillings are safe
More commonly thought of as silver fillings, this material is made of several metals. Although silver is one of them, they also contain copper, tin and mercury. This latter metal is often a concern for many people because it is toxic and can lead to many health issues. Mercury is used as a binding agent for the other metals, and a typical filling contains a large amount of mercury. However, there has been no evidence that this mercury leaks from the filling material into a person's bloodstream. This material has been around for well over a century and is deemed safe by the medical community.
3. An alternative to silver fillings
Maybe you're skeptical about the safety of mercury in fillings and do not want to take any chances. So what are the alternatives? Well, other than something flashy like gold, the main alternative is what dentists call composite material. It is made up of more than one material and is a resin-like substance that sets inside your tooth with the aid of a special light used by your dentist. This material is more expensive than silver fillings, and they don't last as long; however, they are not as noticeable as silver fillings, and of course, there is no mercury. So, if you are concerned about the mercury in silver fillings, composite fillings are certainly worth considering.
The information above about tooth fillings should help you raise your awareness of what they are and their limitations. There may be other options available from your dentist. Any questions you have should be discussed anytime you are told you need a filling or a filling replaced.
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