Categories: Restorative Dentistry

Do Not Ignore A Cavity

Have your teeth been feeling sensitive to certain foods? Do you feel a change in the texture of your tooth? These may be signs that you have dental decay. While this is a common problem, it is important to not overlook it. If left ignored, this can continue to progress into a more severe dilemma. Instead, let the team at MMC Dental in Houston, TX, restore your tooth with a filling.

Preventing Tooth Decay

It is estimated that all adults in the US will have at least one cavity in their lives. However, there are ways to avoid this. Oral hygiene starts at home by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. In addition to these steps, your diet also plays a role in your dental hygiene. Try to maintain a well-balanced diet and reduce the amount of sugary foods that you consume. As a general rule, you should also be seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups. These cleanings and examinations help both adults and children keep their pearly whites healthy and can detect common problems early.

Why Fillings Are Used

If you do develop tooth decay, it is important to treat the problem as soon as possible. Your dentist may notice signs of a cavity during your checkup if the area is more sensitive, has a change in color, or it may be seen in your X-rays. When this is noticed, they may recommend that you have a filling done. During this treatment, the damaged part of the tooth is removed, and cleaned, and material is added to the space. It is important to remove the harmed area because bacteria can continue deteriorating it if it remains. Then, composite resin is added to protect and restore the area. This is an essential step to protect it from harmful bacteria. The biocompatible material is tooth-colored and highly durable.

Fillings Are For Adults And Kids

This restoration is for patients of all ages. Children can also get cavities, and it is important to keep their first set of dentition intact to promote healthy growth of the permanent set. Parents can help their children avoid cavities by supervising their oral hygiene routine and helping as needed. During your child’s biannual checkup, their dentist may also suggest fluoride treatment to further protect your little one’s smile.

Adults will need fillings, too, if they have tooth decay. If a cavity is not treated with a filling, it can lead to needing a root canal or extraction, depending on the severity. Our second set of teeth will not be replaced with another natural set if we lose them. Although prosthetic replacements are available, having your natural pearly whites offers several benefits.