Big Teeth

Visiting the Dentist

Having a Filling

One of the most amazing things about our teeth is that they can repair early decay on their own using minerals in saliva. Sometimes a dentist decides that it's best to have a filling.

We thought it might be helpful for you to know what happens during a filling and then, if you think your children would benefit from knowing, you can tell them. It's quite complex so you might want to skip some parts and tailor other parts for your own children.

• First, the dentist will give them a local anesthetic to stop them feeling any pain.
• The dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth using special tools - which may whizz, whirl and tickle a little.
• The dentist will then blow water and air onto the tooth to clean and dry it.
• The dentist will then push the filling material into the cavity and shape it before hardening it and trimming it to the right shape.