Do Dental Fillings Have Side Effects?

We’d love to say that dental fillings are free of side effects. However, any medical procedure you introduce material on or into the body has risks associated with the treatment. Dentists and medical researchers, including the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, agree that certain materials used for dental fillings can cause more side effects than others.

When you visit Raynham Dental Group, the Office of Dr. Michael Scanlon, for your dental filling, you’ll receive information about each filling material available for use before treatment begins.

Our goal is to provide good and safe dentistry, whether for dental fillings or any multi-specialty treatment, including cosmetic and preventive dentistry. We invite you to make an appointment today to learn more about the best material for your dental filling. But first, let’s take a look at why it’s essential to repair a cavity.

Don’t Ignore a Cavity.

We understand that not every patient can rush to their dentist in Raynham, MA, for immediate treatment when something is wrong in their mouth, but we encourage you not to ignore a cavity.

Even if you chew on the side of your mouth that does not have the cavity, that does not mean that the decay will not spread. It’s not a matter of if it will spread because it will spread. When it spreads, it will cause more pain, increase the risk for systemic infection, and potentially grow to a size that prohibits restoration with a filling. And when that happens, you’ll be faced with more expensive decisions that will require more time and are more invasive than a dental filling. These include a dental crown or tooth extraction and replacement.

You may have heard stories or seen media reports about the side effects of certain materials, such as mercury, that were once commonly used to repair cavities. Our dentist does Dental filling in Raynham, MA is here to answer all of your questions about the side effects of every material used in dental fillings so you can enjoy a quick and simple tooth restoration rather than a costlier and more invasive one. Dr. Scanlon specializes in helping patients repair their existing cavities with the safest materials available in modern dentistry. We also utilize the latest dental technology and techniques to provide you with the best preventive care – an essential component in cavity prevention.

Wondering How to Reduce Your Risk of Cavities?

Most of us know that certain foods and beverages are healthier from a dental perspective than others. For example, drinking a large glass of water with no sugar is always wiser than drinking a large soda. Bacteria have something to feed on when you eat sugary foods as they fill up on the carbohydrate. This sugar coating on the teeth can eat into the tooth’s enamel and create holes where cavities will thrive. If you want to enjoy a soda or a piece of cake, remember to brush and rinse as soon as possible afterward. Ignoring the sugar coating on your teeth is similar to ignoring a cavity. Additional damage will occur if left untreated.

Here’s another tip to help reduce your risk of developing a cavity: schedule dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year. Preventive care allows a dentist to diagnose and treat early signs of dental decay before they become more complex concerns. Plus, preventive care includes oral cancer screening, a quick procedure that could save your life.

The Takeaway

Don’t delay getting a cavity fixed. Discuss the side effects of certain filling materials with a dentist such as Raynham Dental Group in Raynham, MA.