If you’ve had tooth decay in the past, you may have had your tooth repaired with a metal amalgam filling. Unfortunately, it left you with the appearance of a dark tooth whenever you laughed or spoke.

While metal dental fillings had their benefits, today’s modern tooth-colored fillings made with composite resin are both durable and aesthetic. In addition, our dentists can also use composite resin material to eliminate minor cosmetic concerns like stained or chipped teeth in a process called dental bonding.

The composite material can also protect the chewing surfaces of your teeth with a procedure called dental sealants that creates a barrier to keep bacteria and plaque away from your tooth.

How Tooth-Colored Fillings in Seymour Benefit Your Smile

While it would seem that metal would be a more durable material for a filling, composite tooth-colored fillings actually offer several benefits over amalgam:

• Metal is sensitive to temperature changes that cause it to expand and contract. Over time, amalgam fillings pull away from your tooth during temperature changes, allowing bacteria back to enter the tooth and cause further damage. Composite doesn’t react to constant temperature changes in the mouth.
• We can customize composite material to match your tooth and blend flawlessly with your smile. No one will ever know you had a filling.
• Composite bonds directly to your tooth for a tight seal to keep bacteria out and strengthen your tooth.
• Our dentist in Seymour Dental don’t have to remove as much of your natural tooth to place composite fillings, which protects the remaining tooth structure.

Because of these excellent advantages for your smile, tooth-colored fillings are the top choice for tooth repair by our dentists and our patients. You can contact us right away to learn more about our services in Seymour, TN.

You Can Avoid Cavities

While tooth-colored fillings are an excellent option for repairing a tooth damaged by tooth decay, there are steps you can take to prevent tooth decay, dental caries, and tooth pain from happening in the first place.

• Commit to good oral hygiene. For example, brushing your teeth after meals or at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once will help remove the plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Avoid eating or drinking sugary foods or beverages. Sugar is the fuel for the bacteria that live on your teeth. The bacteria ingest sugar and then produce acids that erode tooth enamel and cause cavities.
• Visit your dentist every six months. Your routine bi-annual teeth cleanings and checkups are the key to keeping your teeth clean and bacteria-free. Our dentists can also warn you of problems or concerns early on so you can take steps to protect your smile.
• Avoid snacking during the day. When you snack on sugary treats, chips, pretzels, or bread, the starch attaches to your teeth and turns into sugar. Instead, try to eat only during meals and brush your teeth afterward to protect your teeth from decay. 

Contact Seymour Dental Associates

Our primary goal at our Seymour dental office is to help you achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile and prevent cavities. So call us today at (865) 579-3368 if it’s time to schedule your next dental appointment.