Can Teeth Fillings Help You Prevent Tooth Loss?

Fillings are one of the most routine procedures you can get at the dentist, so it’s often easy to discount their importance. If you think you can skip a filling or two, we’ll look at the potential consequences of failing to care for your teeth.

Tooth Decay and You

Tooth decay can happen to anyone at any time. Kids, teens, young adults, middle-aged adults, and senior citizens can all experience some degree of tooth decay (even if the proportions are wildly different). When a dentist in St. Louis, MO recommends a filling, it’s because they found a small hole in the tooth. This filling makes the tooth whole again, so it can withstand everyday wear and tear.

What Happens If You Don’t Get a Filling?

The answer depends on the person in question. For some people, the process of tooth decay is very slow. However, the longer the tooth goes unfilled, the worse the decay will get. At some point, the hole will become too large for a filling. In that case, you may need a root canal to kill the nerve and then protect the tooth with a crown. In the worst-case scenario, the dentist will need to remove the tooth entirely.

Fillings in St. Louis, MO

While tooth extractions are nearly as common as fillings, it helps avoid them if possible. If you’re looking to get a tooth filling in St. Louis, MO, the staff at Smile Now STL can help you get everything taken care of faster than you think. Contact us today for this routine procedure before you need a more involved one down the line!