Everyone wants to feel confident with their smile. Keeping your teeth in good shape sometimes requires dental filling treatments, especially if it's been a long time since you've seen your dental professional. It’s imperative that you always stay on top of your regular dental appointments to spot cavities early and avoid bigger problems down the road. Here are three telltale signs that you might need a filling.

1. New Cavities

When you visit the dentist for a regular checkup, they will examine your teeth for cavities. Cavities are small places where tooth decay has started. A cavity is usually tiny and can be stopped with the use of a filling. Fillings are substances that are placed on your teeth to harden and fill up the cavity, effectively stopping the cavity from spreading to the rest of the tooth. If you fail to visit the dentist on a regular basis, you won’t know when cavities are forming, though, so be sure to make and keep all of your dental appointments.

2. Toothaches

One of the most obvious signs that you’ll need a filling is a toothache. A toothache is usually the result of tooth decay or a cavity. Once it has eaten through the tooth's enamel, the nerves will get exposed, making you experience pain. If you start to have a lingering toothache, you need to make an appointment with the best dentists in your area. These professionals will be able to create a filling treatment plan for you to hopefully save the tooth and relieve your dental pain.

3. Broken Older Fillings

Have you already gotten a filling but your pesky toothache has come back? If you have an existing filling in a tooth and the filling falls out or breaks, you’ll need to have a new one put in ASAP. Having a filling come out can be quite painful. You’ll want to get to the best dentists in your area as quickly as possible for quick filling repair.

These are just a few signs that you might need a filling. To take the first step toward combating cavities and tooth decay, schedule an appointment with our skilled team of dentists. With over 20 years of combined experience, we take pride in providing the individualized, professional care you deserve. According to IBISWorld, there are over 1 million employees in the dental industry. Don't settle for anything less than the best dentists in Meridian, ID. Call our team at Copperstone Dental today. Don't forget to ask about our new patient specials! We look forward to helping you achieve your dream smile.