How to Fix Cavities

If you have been experiencing tooth pain, increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or dry mouth, you may be feeling the signs and symptoms of a cavity. Because cavities are most effectively and less invasively treated in the early stages, it’s best to see your dentist right away for an examination. Dr. Baer and the team will ask about your symptoms, conduct an examination of your teeth, and take X-rays, all of which can help determine not only if you have a cavity but, just as importantly to the treatment, what kind of cavity you have.

How many kinds of cavities are there?

There are three main types of cavities; the type is determined by which parts of your teeth are affected. Smooth surface cavities occur precisely where the name indicates: on the smooth surfaces of your teeth, which are generally on the sides or flat tops. Pit and fissure cavities occur on the rough chewing surface of the teeth, most commonly in the back molars. While smooth surface and pit and fissure cavities are relatively superficial and can sometimes be reversed by early detection and treatment, the final kind of cavity, root cavities, tend to require immediate treatment to stop the decay that has begun to form along the root surface from taking hold in the soft inner pulp of the tooth.

How are cavities treated?

The treatment of cavities depends to some extent upon which kind of cavity one has and how far along it has progressed.

If you have a smooth surface or pit and fissure cavity that is just beginning to form, you may be able to fend off progression and effectively reverse cavity formation by simple fluoride treatments, which your dentist will utilize in the form of gels or liquids either brushed on to the teeth or applied via trays. This will strengthen your teeth by the process known as remineralization, which is undoes the damage done by sugar and bacteria that allows the entry point for a cavity to form. Done early enough in the process, fluoride treatments can be easy, cost-effective, and non-invasive treatments that nip cavities in the bud.

For root cavities or other kinds of cavities that have progressed beyond the earliest stages, a filling or restoration might be required. During this treatment method, your dentist will drill out the decayed matter and fill the hole left behind by the material they find most appropriate, whether that be a composite resin, porcelain, or amalgam or mixture of materials.

If the damage to the tooth is extensive, you may be a candidate for a crown. Like fillings, crowns can be composed of a variety of materials, from composite resins to porcelain to gold. Regardless of the material, they are essentially a cap or crown that covers the entirety of the damaged tooth to protect what remains after the decayed matter has been removed.

Root canals become necessary when tooth decay has progressed to the point of affecting the inner pulp of the tooth. At this stage of tooth decay, it is important to remove all of the affected tissues so that it does not continue to progress. After drilling out the damaged tissue, your dentist might use a medication to ensure that all infection is gone before filling the cavity left behind and possible placing a crown, as well.

Left untreated, tooth decay can irreparably damage teeth past the point of restoration, at which point the tooth can only be removed via tooth extraction. The extraction of teeth can introduce structural problems in even the healthiest of mouths, so patients who have teeth extracted are often advised to consider implants or bridges to fill the space left by a missing tooth.

Is it possible to avoid cavities?

While most adults experience a cavity at least at one point in their lives, it is possible to avoid cavities. One of the keys is having a dentist that understands the risk factors for patients and tooth decay. Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding sugary foods and beverages, and keeping a consistent schedule or dental visits are all good ways to fend them off. But remember, if you do feel the signs and symptoms of tooth decay, get it checked out as soon as you can. The earlier you seek treatment, the easier it will be.

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