Fillings in Pittston, PA
Fillings in Pittston, PA

Having excellent oral hygiene can prevent tooth decay, but it requires frequent toothbrushing to prevent bacteria growth that causes decay. However, if you get cavities, our dentists from Polit & Costello Dentistry can restore your teeth by cleaning out the decay and repairing the enamel with fillings in Pittston, PA.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Also known as caries, tooth decay is the result of several factors, including:

  • Poor brushing habits
  • Snacking on foods high in simple carbohydrates
  • Drinking sugary beverages, including alcohol for adults
  • Bacteria that develops from tartar

It is easy to prevent cavities by brushing your teeth in the morning and evening before going to bed, flossing, eating a healthy diet, and drinking water instead of soft drinks or juices.

Why is Brushing Teeth Important?

For healthy teeth, it is vital to brush them frequently. While you’re sleeping, the saliva in your mouth mixes with any leftover food debris to form a sticky substance called plaque. While produced naturally, plaque can turn into tartar if it hardens on your teeth, gums, and other areas in the mouth.

While plaque is easily brushed away in the morning, tartar does not brush out. Our dentists near you will need to scrape it off your teeth and gums so that it doesn’t form the bacteria that causes cavities. Cavities are the result of the bacteria eating into tooth enamel and causing holes in it.

Restoring Teeth with Fillings

Once cavities form, they will need treatment from dentists to restore teeth. The restoration takes place by removing the decay from the cavity and surrounding enamel. Adding a filling to the damaged tooth helps strengthen it and keeps food and drink residue from entering the tooth and putting it at risk for additional decay.

When filling teeth, our dentists in Pittston, PA have several materials available to them, including:

  • Silver Amalgam
  • Gold
  • Porcelain
  • Composite Resin
  • Glass Ionomer

If you drink or eat something cold or hot and feel a stinging pain in your tooth, don’t ignore it. Please book an appointment at Polit & Costello Dentistry to have your mouth examined and fillings near you put into the teeth that need them. This simple treatment can keep you smiling brightly.