A Dentist Can Stop a Cavity From Getting Worse

It’s no secret that having a cavity is inconvenient and painful. However, your dentist can help mitigate pain and help stop the issue from getting worse. Although it’s not possible to completely reverse the negative impact, positive habits and treatment from your dentist can help ensure that you are trending in the correct direction. Before diving into care and treatment options, let’s take a moment to discuss how this painful issue can arise and what’s happening inside your tooth. 

What is a cavity?

The first sign that you may be developing a cavity is tooth pain that won’t go away! While it may be tempting to ignore the issue and suffer through the pain, early action is key as tooth decay worsens over time. A cavity develops when acid eats away at the enamel on the outside of the tooth, causing decay, producing tiny holes in the tooth. Once the decay hits the blood vessels and nerves in the tooth, it becomes painful, and you will notice the issue.

How can a dentist help?

While it’s impossible to reverse tooth decay, your dentist can offer solutions to mitigate the pain and return functionality to your tooth. The options below are just a few options that your dentist may suggest based on your case. 

• Fillings: A filling is a tool used to coat the outer layer of the tooth, preventing dangerous acid from further impacting the tooth and causing more decay. During this treatment, the dentist will numb the area and remove the decayed material from the tooth; then, they will insert the “filling,” a puttylike material, into the tooth to protect it from further damage. 
• Crowns: Crowns protect the tooth from decay by covering its outside and serving as a barrier between the tooth and acids in the mouth. Crowns are cemented to the tooth to ensure a lasting seal that will help stop tooth decay in the most severe cases. 
• Bonding: During a composite bonding, your dentist will use a plastic and glass resin mixture to fill the holes in your teeth. The composite is color-matched to your teeth so that you can’t tell the resin from your natural teeth. 

While these are the main treatment options your dentist may offer, you will want to take a few steps to care at home before treatment. Be sure to brush carefully and drink plenty of water as a dry mouth can worsen issues. In addition, try to cut back on sugary foods and alcohol that produce the bacteria and acid that lead to tooth decay. 

Conclusion

Overall, the most important step to stop this problem from getting worse is visiting your dentist as soon as possible. They will help determine the treatment option for the severity of your decay and pain level. Most importantly, tooth decay worsens over time, and the faster you can address the issues, the better your smile will be! 

Request an appointment here: https://www.millarfamilydentistry.com or call Millar Family Dentistry at (817) 885-5214 for an appointment in our Weatherford office.

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