A lot of people hate going to the dentist. But when you have pain in your tooth and you think that you might have a cavity, it’s best to have it checked out.
Let’s take a look at what can happen if you let your cavity go.
When you have a cavity in a tooth, you might think of it as an infection. Cavities are made from harmful bacteria. When these are mixed with an environment that’s acidic, use sugar and attack your tooth’s hard tissue, which is the dentin and enamel. As time goes by a small hole’s made in the tooth and if it isn’t repaired using a filling, it will continue growing.
When the cavity is left untreated, it can destroy most of the tooth and soon it won’t be possible to restore it using a regular filling. If there isn’t much tooth left, you can only use a crown to fix it.
If that bacteria reaches your tooth’s pulp chamber, where its blood vessels and nerve are found, the pulp will become infected and irritated. This could result in the tooth becoming abscessed, which is often very painful. Then it will require a root canal because of the infection in the pulp, and then a crown will normally be put on.
Sometimes there is so much damage by the cavity that even a root canal plus crown will help it. When this happens, it will often require the tooth to be pulled.
Conclusion
Root canals and crows are very extensive compared to a filling. When you have to replace a tooth that has been pulled, that’s even more involved. That is why you should visit the dentist regularly. When you detect cavities early, it will be better for your teeth and your health. Plus you’ll save a lot of money and time fixing it.
Facts about Cavities
There are more than 3 million US cases per year. Cavities are very treatable by a medical professional like your dentist.
Causes of cavities include: bacteria, snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and poor teeth cleaning.
There may be no symptoms. Untreated cavities can cause toothache, infection, and tooth loss.
Treatments include: fluoride, fillings, and crowns. Severe cases may need a root canal or removal.
Questions about Cavities?
If cavity issues are affecting your smile, the team at Island Coast Dentistry can help. Through a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Skupny can tailor a oral treatment plan that is most effective for you. A beautiful, healthy smile can be yours!
Contact us today to learn more, or schedule a consultation online.