Has your dentist told you that you have a cavity? You may feel dismayed at the concept of returning to your dentist’s office to treat this early form of tooth decay. But getting rid of cavities in a timely fashion will prevent more serious damage from accruing in your smile.
Tooth decay develops when natural oral bacteria find a weak spot in your tooth’s enamel and begin to erode the dental structure. Dentists refer to a resulting hole from decay as a cavity. Decay will spread and worsen without intervention from a dentist, so make sure you schedule this dental appointment right away.
You can feel more encouraged to seek this necessary dental care when you know more about its importance. Review details about the dangers of cavities as well as what to expect from treatment from Dr. Chavala Harris, a dentist in Durham, NC, when you read on.
Risks of Untreated Cavities
Cavities may come with some noticeable symptoms, including dark discoloration in the tooth and tooth sensitivity. If left without treatment, advanced tooth decay will allow both of these symptoms to worsen. The patient can feel more significant pain as decay spreads and deepens.
If decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, the patient will face a high risk of an infection. Not only could this cause significant pain, but it will also result in swelling, bad smells and tastes in the mouth, and even fever and malaise.
If you develop an infection or abscess in the tooth, bacteria can easily travel through the bloodstream, spreading the infection throughout the body. Since the mouth is so close to the brain, this can lead to serious medical consequences. Prevent this concern by treating cavities as soon as you can.
How to Treat Cavities
A dentist can treat most cavities within one appointment. First, they will give you a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. They apply a topical numbing gel and then give you an injection to the nerve. This way, you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
Then the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth enamel. They use composite resin to fill the resulting hole, molding it to the desired shape of your tooth. They use concentrated light to cure and harden the dental filling into place.
The dentist completes the treatment with a final polish, ensuring the new fixture has a smooth, natural finish and does not disrupt your bite. The filling creates a seal over this vulnerable part of the tooth, protecting it from further harm. It can stay in place for about ten years, withstanding the usual wear and tear your teeth endure regularly.
Cavity Prevention Tips
Though a dentist can treat a cavity, ideally, you want to preserve as much of your natural dental structure as you can. This means reducing your risk of forming tooth decay with preventive dental care.
Keep your teeth strong enough to resist decay by removing harmful plaque in a timely fashion. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist for routine dental cleanings. Ask your dentist about other preventive treatments that can fortify your teeth against cavities.