How Are Cavities Treated?
Tooth decay causes cavities. If you have pain in your teeth, and your doctor diagnoses it as a cavity, then you'll need to get treatment. Read on to understand what causes cavities and how they are treated.
What Causes Cavities?
Tooth decay occurs when foods rich in carbohydrates such as cereal, bread, soda, milk, cake, fruit or candy, remain on your teeth. Food debris comes into contact with mouth bacteria that convert it into acid. The bacteria in your mouth and food debris, saliva and acid are combined to form plaque that clings to your teeth. Plaque contains acids that dissolve your tooth's enamel to leave holes known as cavities.
How Do Dentists Determine Whether You Have Cavities?
When you go for a dental check-up, your dentist will examine your teeth to check for soft spots. Your dentist may also use X-rays to probe the areas between your teeth. If you have been experiencing a toothache when you drink or eat sweet things, it means that you have a cavity. In some cases, cavities appear as holes or pits in your teeth.
How Is A Cavity Treated?
Your dentist will offer treatment for your cavity depending on how bad it is. In most cases, dentists remove the portion of the tooth that has decayed using a drill. The hole will be covered with a filling composed of gold, porcelain, resin or silver alloy. Patients rarely experience an allergic reaction to fillings.
If you have tooth decay that can break your tooth, your dentist will use a crown to fix the cavity. A crown is an artificial material that resembles a tooth and is used to hold a delicate tooth together. A crown is, at times, used for restoring a broken tooth. For example, if you do not have many teeth left and your tooth has been sealed with a large filling, a crown may be used to offer support to the tooth.
The pulp in your tooth helps you sense heat and cold. When the nerve inside your tooth breaks down, bacteria can multiply inside the pulp. An infected pulp results in an abscessed tooth that causes foul breath, severe pain and swollen glands. If your pulp (the inside part of your tooth) is infected by a cavity, your dentist may have to remove the pulp using a procedure known as a root canal.
A root canal procedure is mainly performed by an endodontist. Your endodontist will first conduct an x-ray to check for an infection in your tooth. Your endodontist will drill through your tooth and get rid of the pulp. He/she will then clean the treated area. The tooth will be sealed using a crown.
If you're experience toothaches or suspect you have a cavity, contact a local dental clinic like Woodvale Dental Surgery so you can get it treated as soon as possible.
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