Dental Decay and Fillings

What Is Tooth Decay and How Does It Form?

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acid from sugary and starchy foods, and this acid gradually dissolves the enamel. At first it causes no pain; as decay moves from the enamel into the dentine, sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets and then pain can begin. If left untreated it can reach the nerve and require root canal treatment or tooth loss. Regular check-ups are therefore the best way to catch decay while it is small.

Signs of Decay

• Black or brown spots or pits on a tooth
• Sensitivity to sweet, cold or hot food
• Pain where food gets trapped
• A broken tooth or aching around a filling
• A bad taste or smell in the mouth

Not every cavity hurts, so do not wait for symptoms before coming for a check-up.

How Is a Filling Done?

The area around the tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia. The decayed tissue is removed, the tooth is shaped, and a tooth-coloured composite filling material is placed in layers and hardened with light. Finally the bite is checked and the surface polished. It is often completed in one visit. If the cavity is large or the tooth is weak, a crown (such as zirconia) may be suggested instead of a filling.

What to Expect After a Filling

Be careful not to bite your tongue or cheek until the anaesthesia wears off. Hot-cold sensitivity in the first days is possible and usually settles by itself. If any area feels high when biting, it is adjusted at a check-up. The lifespan of a filling depends on its size, oral hygiene and eating habits.

How to Prevent Decay

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Use floss or interdental brushes once a day.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks, especially frequent consumption through the day.
• Come for a check-up every six months.
• Take baby-teeth cavities seriously too; see our paediatric dentistry page.

Appointment

You can book an appointment for a check-up and treatment of decay at our clinic in Çankaya.

Highlights of This Service

• Early diagnosis, less treatment
• Tooth-coloured materials
• Painless with local anaesthesia
• Preventive care advice