Even though everyone wants a whiter and brighter smile, more than ninety percent of Americans have dental decay. Unfortunately, more than one-fourth have untreated cavities for various reasons. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), one of the most common reasons people give for not going to the dentist is fear. Often this fear is based on experiencing pain while having a cavity filled. Of course, it is normal to avoid pain, but avoiding the dentist can lead to poor oral health, cavities, and more dental treatment. Armed with the knowledge presented below, you can make more informed decisions that help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
To find out more about cavities and whether you need filings schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry for a comfortable experience.
What is a Dental Cavity?
Dental plaque is a sticky and virtually invisible film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. When you consume foods and drinks that contain sugar, the bacteria in plaque forms acids. If you allow plaque to remain on teeth, the acids attack and cause permanent destruction of the tooth’s enamel. The hole created by this decaying enamel is known as a dental cavity. The defect is permanent and requires professional dental treatment to prevent more extensive destruction of the tooth.
What are the Risk Factors for Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is preventable by minimizing these risk factors:
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Diet. A diet that includes sugary and sticky foods increases the incidence of dental decay.
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Inadequate fluoride. Fluoridated water and toothpaste help prevent cavities and reverse the initial damage caused by tooth decay.
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Dry mouth. A lack of salivary production or mouth breathing prevents saliva’s normal washing away of food and plaque.
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Crooked teeth. Misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean and are prone to cavities.
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Eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia cause enamel erosion which makes teeth more susceptible to cavities.
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Gastric reflux. Stomach acids that enter the mouth erode teeth and increase the chance of damage from dental caries.
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Poor oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice each day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily can effectively remove dental plaque.
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Avoiding dental checkups. Regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning can help keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime.
How Do Dentists Treat Cavities?
Dentists have several ways of treating cavities depending on variables, such as size and location of the cavity, your bite, and the health of your gums. The types of fillings include:
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Amalgam fillings. Commonly called silver fillings, these have a long history of use in dentistry. However, in recent years their use has declined due to their mercury content and the improvement of tooth-colored fillings.
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Composite fillings. Many types of these tooth-colored resin materials are used to treat front and back teeth.
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Glass ionomers. This is an acrylic material that lasts less than five years and is commonly used to fill cavities for children.
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Crowns. Metal and ceramic crowns are used to restore teeth extensively damaged by tooth decay.
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Dental veneers. Dental veneers can repair damaged enamel on the front surface of teeth in the front of your mouth.
Do Cavity Fillings Hurt?
Having a dental cavity treated with any of the methods listed above should not cause pain. Before the treatment begins, you receive a local dental anesthetic that numbs your tooth and gums. Filling a small cavity requires minimal anesthetic and a short dental appointment. Treatments such as crowns and veneers take longer and may require additional anesthetic after treatment begins.
Our goal at [Client Name] is to treat your cavities as early and comfortably as possible. You can always inform us of any discomfort you experience during the treatment, and we can administer additional anesthetic. You may experience some soreness when the anesthetic wears off after the appointment but not during treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
We can answer all your concerns about experiencing pain during dental treatment. Call [Client Name] today for an appointment and get started on your journey to healthy teeth and gums.