Fix Cavities
What is a dental cavity, what causes them and then how can you get the cavities fixed? Let us walk through that progression. A cavity is a permanently damaged area on the hard surface, or the enamel, of a tooth. If left untreated they will open into a tiny hole allowing the bacteria to infect the next few layers of the tooth.
What Causes Cavities?
Called dental caries, they are caused by a number of factors. We each a million of bacteria in our mouths every day. This is necessary as the bacteria begins to break down our food and drink for the natural life sustaining elements. When the bacteria are not kept in check with simple brushing and flossing it will adhere to the tooth and result in a clear sticky substance called plaque. The plaque, carrying the bacteria, will create acids that now will attack the enamel. It can and will continue to attack the next level, the dentin, and then into the pulp chamber at the center of the tooth.
How Can You Fix Cavities?
Your dentist can usually detect a cavity by examining your teeth, by doing some probing with a dental instrument and by confirming with an x-ray. They can also tell you how severe or advanced the cavity is, whether just a smooth surface, a pit and fissure or even to the root.
Regular checkups are crucial in identifying cavities in an earlier stage such that you can reverse the decay and prevent further damaging progression. The treatments will depend on the severity.
- Fluoride treatment-If your cavity has literally just started a fluoride treatment can restore the enamel and even reverse the cavity. Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride yielding better results.
- Fillings-Also called a restoration, are the most popular treatment option when the cavity is past that early stage. The dentist must remove all the decay and damaged tooth and then use one of several materials to fill the recession. The filling can be porcelain, dental amalgam, or a tooth-colored composite resin. The tooth in question might dictate the material used.
- Crowns-If the decay is extensive and the tooth is weakened a crown might be the next best option. All of the decayed area must be removed and then the entire tooth is covered with an artificial cover that looks just like your tooth. Crowns are most often high strength porcelain, resin, or porcelain fused with metal.
- Root Canals-If the bacteria have reached the pulp the only solution now it to remove all the infected pulp, which also runs down each root. Once cleared and disinfected a rubbery like material will be put into the pulp chamber and down the root canals. The hole that was drilled to gain access will be closed with a filling. You have kept a natural tooth it just no longer is alive.
- Extraction-The final solution is to remove the tooth altogether. The dental industry will do everything possible to retain your natural teeth, but sometimes this option is the best for your oral health.
The best solution is to be preventative with good oral hygiene at home complimented by regular checkups.
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