Permanent tooth filling at home isn't safe; you need a dentist in Hampton, VA. Begin your search for Dentist Hampton, VA here and get safe fillings!

Many people are hesitant to visit the dentist. Over a third of Americans haven't been to one in over a year.

There are plenty of reasons people avoid professional dentistry, with high costs and fears of various procedures being the most common reasons. These trends have given rise to many unsafe do-it-yourself dental solutions.

Those who need fillings are likely to turn to DIY dentistry. They think it's safe, as various filling kits are available over the counter. However, permanent tooth filling at home is incredibly dangerous.



Read on to learn about the dangers it poses to your oral health.

Aren’t Meant to Be Permanent

Prone to Falling Out

Properly applying a tooth filling is an intricate process. Dentists have to numb the area with an anesthetic, remove any decay, and take steps to protect the nerve.

Once the tooth is ready, the dentist applies the filling material in layers, waiting for each to cure and harden. The final step is to trim and shape the filling material.

All of this illustrates how much work goes into a professional tooth filling. On the other hand, at-home fillings are simply placed in the cavity without any prep work.



This makes them very likely to fall out. They never adhere to the teeth, depending on undercuts on your tooth to remain in your mouth. 

Decay May Still Be Present

Removing tooth decay is one of the most important steps in getting a filling. If you allow tooth decay to continue, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Tooth decay can also cause jaw discomfort and headaches. It can even lead to serious health problems like heart disease.



If you try to fill your tooth at home, you won't be able to remove this decay. In some cases, severe tooth decay can only be removed by laser. Only a dentist has the tools and necessary skills to help you.

Leaving an at-home filling in your mouth for too long can actually speed up the decay process.  It's one of the greatest risks of DIY dentistry.

Can Affect Bite Patterns

At-home dentistry can negatively affect your bite pattern. It causes your teeth to shift, which can be incredibly painful. You may develop headaches, experience excruciating jaw pain, or continue to have toothaches.

Even dentist-applied fillings can sometimes cause this to happen, but a dentist will take steps to ensure that their fillings are properly fitted. They'll check your bite and shape any fillings to prevent them from affecting your jaw.



If left unchecked, shifted teeth can alter the way your face looks. They can affect your jawline and the health of your jaw joint.

Likely to Break

The filling material dentists use is designed to stand up to the wear and tear of chewing, but the material in over-the-counter fillings is flimsy in comparison.

If you leave an over-the-counter filling in your mouth for too long, it will eventually break. This could cause severe damage to the filled tooth and may be painful.



Once the filling breaks, it's easy for bacteria to enter the area. This can lead to further tooth decay and infections that threaten your oral health.

Difficult to Eat

Using an at-home filling kit makes your teeth weaker. You'll have to take great care when chewing to avoid breaking the filling or causing it to fall out.

As a result, eating becomes a difficult task. You'll have to stay away from many kinds of food. Something hard will break the temporary filling and something chewy will likely displace it. This can have a dramatic effect on your diet, leading you to be undernourished.



This is a less obvious effect of relying on an at-home filling as a permanent solution, but it demonstrates how oral health affects the health of the entire body.

Could Damage Other Teeth

Dentists undergo years of training to learn how to properly apply fillings. One of the most important skills they develop is learning how to make a filling the appropriate size.

If the filling is too small, it won't properly seal the gap in the tooth. If it's too large, it could damage the surrounding teeth.

If you attempt to apply your own filling, you won't be able to judge the size properly. You'll likely make the filling much too large.



This makes the filled tooth unstable and likely to break, which will damage the other teeth surrounding it. 

Use of Dangerous Materials

Some attempt DIY dentistry without even using over-the-counter fillings. Instead, they apply substances like superglue to their cavities. 

This is even worse than using a temporary filling. Material like glue could be toxic, leading to a host of health issues. 



Eventually, a dentist will need to remove these fillings to protect your health, and they will likely need to extract the tooth in the process.

Permanent Tooth Filling at Home Is Dangerous