Dental Fillings in Lakewood, Colorado
What Is a Dental Filling?
It’s a type of dental restoration at our Lakewood dental clinic.
At Fox Point Dental in Lakewood, CO, we don’t just fill cavities. We restore teeth. We truly care about the longevity of your teeth and your oral health, and we want to do everything we possibly can to restore your teeth to their natural state. We see each and every cavity filling as an opportunity to return your affected tooth to its original condition as much as possible for as long as possible.
A ‘tooth filling’ is a type of tooth restoration offered by our dental clinic in Lakewood, CO. You can think of a filling as a way to cover or fix a cavity in your tooth. The cavity leaves behind a hole, which we then fill and recreate the original tool. We look at restoring the tooth’s original color, function, and shape. Dental fillings in Lakewood, CO at Fox Point Dental is an affordable, long-lasting, and natural-looking solution to cavities.
We want to help you and the ones you love smile confidently, breathe clearer, and live a healthier life.
Whether you’re coming in for a dental filling or another dental procedure, from infancy to advanced age, we’re looking out for you.
We Use Mercury-Free Fillings at Our Lakewood Dental Clinic
They’re safer, better, and more conservative than amalgam fillings.
Hundreds of years ago, amalgam fillings revolutionized the treatment of tooth decay and cavities. They were a mixture of mercury, tin, copper, silver, or zinc, which helped prevent the spread of bacteria. However, modern research has recently discovered mercury-free bonded dentistry, which is better, safer, more conservative when it comes to treating cavities.
There are many benefits and reasons to choose a dentist that offers mercury-free dentistry. Here are a few:
They're Safe
Using composite fillings doesn’t pose any health risks.
They're Beautiful
They match the natural look and feel of your real teeth!
They're Reliable
They're strong and will last you for years to come!
They're Regenerative
Glass ionomer can heal your tooth!
Tooth Sensitivity Is a Warning Sign You May Need Dental Fillings In Lakewood, CO
Here is a red flag that a cavity is forming.
Tooth sensitivity is a primary red flag that a cavity is forming on your teeth. The reason you feel tooth sensitivity is because the top layer (enamel) has broken down and the underlying layers are exposed. The exposure increases over time, which causes various levels of pain. However, the earlier the enamel breakdown is caught, the earlier a filling may prevent the cavity from getting worse.
Tooth sensitivity is caused by:
- Acidic and sugary foods, or poor nutrition
- Dry mouth (from mouth breathing or autoimmune disease)
- Genetics
- GERD
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Misaligned bite
- Aging
Also, keep in mind that teeth clenching or grinding can be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing.
Take Care of Those Teeth!
Here’s how to keep them healthy.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Even on the sleepiest of evenings when you can’t wait to lay your head on your pillow, brushing your teeth is a must. It can be easy to skip this step, but it is the best way to get rid of the germs and plaque that build up on your teeth all day long.
Use the Right Brushing Technique
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
- Remind yourself to not brush too hard!
Brush Your Tongue
Brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. Some toothbrushes actually have a rough back designed for tongue brushing. However, you can also gently brush your tongue with the bristles.
Use Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Try to get a toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite! These substances act as an agent to reduce your teeth’s demineralization process. They help the enamel stay strong and resist breaking down. If you’re at a loss for which to pick, look for the ADA seal of acceptance to ensure you’re getting the best toothpaste for your teeth, or ask your Lakewood dentist!
Don't Forget to Floss Once a Day
Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, so flossing is a must to remove debris. It also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy while reducing plaque buildup. Flossing just once a day will greatly improve your oral health regime and help you take care of your teeth.
Breathe Through the Nose
Breathing through your nose is a MAJOR way to prevent tooth decay! When we breathe through our nose, we warm and humidify the air we are breathing, as well as disinfect it. When we breathe through our mouths, we dehydrate our mouths, lead to more plaque buildup, and change the acidity of the mouth. If you can’t breathe through your nose, that is a red flag that there is something going on with your breathing patterns, jaw structure, or nasal structure. Not being able to breathe through your nose warrants further evaluation, not just for your teeth health, but for your whole body health! Sometimes this is as simple as strengthening the muscles of the lips and tongue. This is called myofunctional therapy, and we see many health improvements by using it!
Drink Lots of Water
Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away debris, sugars, and acidic foods between brushings. Water has many health benefits and should always be the drink of choice throughout the day.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
Last but not least, to take care of your teeth, be sure to visit your dental clinic in Lakewood, CO for a dental cleaning twice a year, or as recommended for your specific needs. This will help your dentist keep an eye on your dental health while also providing professional cleanings to remove plaque.
How Can I Prevent Cavities and Dental Fillings In Lakewood, CO?
Take care of those teeth!
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Even on the sleepiest of evenings when you can’t wait to lay your head on your pillow, brushing your teeth is a must. It can be easy to skip this step, but it is the best way to get rid of the germs and plaque that build up on your teeth all day long.
Use the Right Brushing Technique
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
- Remind yourself to not brush too hard!
Brush Your Tongue
Brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. Some toothbrushes actually have a rough back designed for tongue brushing. However, you can also gently brush your tongue with the bristles.
Use Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Try to get a toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite! These substances act as an agent to reduce your teeth’s demineralization process. They help the enamel stay strong and resist breaking down. If you’re at a loss for which to pick, look for the ADA seal of acceptance to ensure you’re getting the best toothpaste for your teeth, or ask your Lakewood dentist!
Don't Forget to Floss Once a Day
Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, so flossing is a must to remove debris. It also stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy while reducing plaque buildup. Flossing just once a day will greatly improve your oral health regime and help you take care of your teeth.
Breathe Through the Nose
Breathing through your nose is a MAJOR way to prevent tooth decay! When we breathe through our nose, we warm and humidify the air we are breathing, as well as disinfect it. When we breathe through our mouths, we dehydrate our mouths, lead to more plaque buildup, and change the acidity of the mouth. If you can’t breathe through your nose, that is a red flag that there is something going on with your breathing patterns, jaw structure, or nasal structure. Not being able to breathe through your nose warrants further evaluation, not just for your teeth health, but for your whole body health! Sometimes this is as simple as strengthening the muscles of the lips and tongue. This is called myofunctional therapy, and we see many health improvements by using it!
Drink Lots of Water
Keeping your mouth moist helps wash away debris, sugars, and acidic foods between brushings. Water has many health benefits and should always be the drink of choice throughout the day.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
Last but not least, to take care of your teeth, be sure to visit your dental clinic in Lakewood, CO for a dental cleaning twice a year, or as recommended for your specific needs. This will help your dentist keep an eye on your dental health while also providing professional cleanings to remove plaque.
About Fox Point Dental In Lakewood, CO
We’re here for your whole health, not just the health of your teeth.
At Fox Point Dental in Lakewood, Colorado, we focus on whole health, functional dentistry. In other words, when you step into our office with a dental problem, we look at the whole you to see the big picture.
Brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting the dentist for dental cleanings are important. But while these help with dental hygiene, they don’t fix the source of the problem. Oftentimes, tooth decay, crooked teeth, bad breath and other common dental issues are a result of airway obstructions, overcrowded mouths, and narrow dental arches from things such as mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing.
By determining the source of the dental problems, we can fix the issues before they get worse. As a functional dentistry practice, it is our goal to not only save you money from preventing future dental procedures but also directly improve the quality of your life.