(559) 875-7980If you have a tooth that is constantly hurting, you may need a dentist to take care of the problem. No matter how diligent you are with brushing your teeth and getting regular dental care, you are still at risk for a cavity. A cavity is a damaged area of a tooth that can cause pain and must be repaired with a filling.
What Causes Cavities?
Bacteria in your mouth form an acid when they come in contact with sugars and starches in the food and drinks you consume. This acid can attack and damage your tooth’s enamel surface. When this happens repeatedly, especially when there is a spot on a tooth where the bacteria and sugars or starches sit undisturbed for some time, a cavity will form due to the damage.
It is possible to catch problems initially and reverse them with a good brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride. This is why regular tooth brushing is so important. If enough damage has occurred, you will form a cavity. You can catch a cavity early in development, either due to a symptom or during a routine, preventative visit to a dentist. If the decay and damage go unchecked, you could lose an entire tooth.
You can be at higher risk of cavities if you have difficulties with dry mouth since you do not have the actions of saliva to dilute, neutralize, and wash away harmful bacteria and acid. Certain medications and smoking increase your risk of developing a cavity.
Occasionally, we are asked if you can catch a cavity from someone who has one through intimate contact. Do not worry, cavities are not contagious. The bacteria that cause cavities are found in everyone’s mouth.
How Will I Know When I Have a Cavity?
Many times, a cavity does not cause symptoms until it is quite large. This is why being seen by a dentist twice yearly is so important. The dentist may see a cavity when they check your teeth, even when you have no symptoms.
When you have a tooth that is constantly hurting, or at least significantly hurting very frequently, you may have a cavity. It is easiest to notice a problem while eating because of the pressure of biting. Sometimes, patients will notice increased sensitivity to hot or cold in a certain tooth. You might notice a visible hole or feel a new contour to a tooth if it is being affected by a cavity. When you notice a significant change in a tooth, it is always best to come and see us so we can find out what is causing the new symptoms. It may not be a cavity, but it is better to have ruled out a cavity than to wait until the tooth is significantly damaged. The worse the cavity is, the harder it will be to repair.
Cavities in teeth are not good for overall health. As teeth decay, they can release harmful toxins into your blood. If you have a large bacteria count in your mouth, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and create problems in other areas of your body. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to heart disease and other health problems.
Treatment of Cavities
When come to H.S. Mann Family Dentistry for a dental filling in Sanger, your dentist will carefully remove the decayed tissue in the cavity. Then the area will need to be filled or, if the area is large enough, you might need a specialized filling or crown (cap) over the entire tooth.
The most common material for a standard filling is composite resin. It is natural-looking and very durable. The color of the filling can be adjusted to match the color of your tooth so that it will be almost invisible. Most fillings will last a minimum of five years, but many last longer.
Other types of material can be used for fillings, including gold or silver amalgam. These fillings can last longer than a composite filling, but they can be more expensive and are easily seen.
Dental Fillings in Sanger Could Be the Solution to Your Problem
At Mann Dentistry, we use high-quality materials and the latest technology to restore teeth when a cavity is found. Our goal is to create virtually undetectable restorations so that our patients can have beautiful, healthy teeth for a lifetime.
If you are experiencing tooth discomfort, you need to be seen to determine the cause of the discomfort. You may be a good candidate for a dental filling in Sanger.