Visiting the dentist is a great way to get your teeth cleaned and find out if you have any problems that need to be addressed, and the most likely problem you may discover during your visit is the need for a dental filling. Dental fillings are extremely common and are used when decay is found on a tooth. Here are three reasons you should not postpone getting a dental filling if your dentist finds a cavity.

It will spread

First of all, when a tooth has decay on it, the decay will not simply remain in one spot. This decay will grow and will start spreading over an entire tooth. When this happens, a small cavity can turn into a large cavity, and it is always better to treat a small cavity than a large one. Therefore, dentists recommend two visits each year. By checking your teeth twice a year, your dentist will be able to find the smallest cavities on your teeth.

It could cause other types of oral problems

Finding cavities when they are small is vital if you want to keep your teeth healthy, primarily because of what a cavity will do if left unaddressed. A cavity that begins to spread over more of the surface of your tooth could eventually cause you to lose that tooth. While decay can be removed and filled, at some point the decay becomes too big to remove and fill. This can lead to infections in the pulp in your teeth, which will result in you needing a root canal. Untreated decay can also begin affecting your gums, leaving you with gum disease. Decay in your teeth can also cause bad breath and a variety of other oral issues.

It will cost more

Finally, if you wait too long to get a cavity filled, you will probably end up having to spend a lot more money. The average cost of a tooth-colored filling, also called a composite filling, is between $135 to $240. This may seem like a lot of money at the time, but you would be surprised to find out how much you could spend on that tooth if you decided to postpone the filling. If you postpone it long enough and need a root canal and a dental crown, you could end up having to spend thousands of dollars to save and fix the tooth.

If you have not been to a dentist in a while or if you have an untreated cavity in your mouth, call a dental clinic today to schedule an appointment.