This is the first blog in the series where we shall discuss some common dental ailments you might encounter in your life. Therefore, we aim to educate you about what you might be up against and what you can do about it. Hence, let us start with cavities: one of the most common and frequent dental problems.
What Are Cavities:
Some notorious bacteria like Streptococcus are a fan of sugary food. Thus, when there are food remnants on your teeth, such bacteria have a feast. After feasting on the food particles in your mouth, the culture of bacteria leaves behind an acidic film. Unfortunately,the acidic covering slowly eats away the hard enamel, leaving behind pits or holes coined as cavities. Eventually, if you don’t treat them in time, the cavities gnaw through the enamel to reach the softer part of the tooth: the dentin.
The progress after reaching dentin is considerably fast, further decaying the tooth. Inevitably, it can grow steadily to reach the pulp (bundles of nerve fibers).
How To Spot Cavities And It’s Symptoms?
You can hardly miss the black or brown stain that develops on the surface of the tooth because of a cavity. However, cavities are sneaky. Thus, they can also form on the edges where the enamel (the outermost hard tooth) layer is thinner. Spontaneous toothaches often originate due to cavities.
Moreover, as the tooth becomes more vulnerable and weak, you might also experience the following symptoms:
- Tooth sensitivity: You may feel a sting when trying to eat something hot or cold.
- Pain while biting: It may hurt when you bite down to eat
Diagnosis:
Although you can see a few surface cavities by inspection, it’s essential to visit Brenham Family Dental for a routine dental checkup. A dentist will probe the side and edges of your teeth to detect any slippery or soft areas. Such developments indicate cavities.
Moreover, your dentist might use a radiograph of your teeth to estimate the extent of your cavities. Due to the density difference in cavities-ridden areas and the healthy surrounding, a radiograph can shed light on every possible occurrence.
Possible Cavity Treatments:
After you are diagnosed with multiple cavities, it’s natural to think about stopping the spread or even reversing the effects with minimal effort. Hence, there are treatments and preventive options for every stage of cavities.
Cavities Restricted Within The Enamel:
When the cavities are budding, your dentist will opt out of invasive treatments. Furthermore, you can stop them with the use of fluoride gels or special toothpastes that can fortify the enamel. In the initial stage, your good oral habits are the best defense, and you might even have a chance to reverse the effects of cavities.
Cavities That Have Reached The Dentin:
If your cavities reach your dentin, they can pose a significant problem. Specifically now, your dentist has to jump in with their drill and scalpel. They will scoop out the infection and fill the gap with natural-looking composite resin.
What Happens When the Damage Is Massive:
Once the infection has eaten through the dentin to the pulp, your tooth might be on its deathbed. In such cases, the dentist has only a few options available, like a crown replacement or tooth extraction. Therefore, it’s best to visit Brenham Family Dental for regular checkups and prevent bacteria from ruining your teeth!. You can call us at 979-421-9685 for more information.