Your teeth’ hard surface contains damaged areas called cavities. These areas of tooth decay grow into tiny holes or openings that have the potential to cause excruciating pain, infections, or even tooth loss. Cavities can be caused by a number of things, including oral bacteria, frequent snacking, drinking sugary drinks, and not brushing your teeth enough.

Tooth decay and cavities are two of the most common health problems in the world today. They are more common in children, teens, and older adults. But cavities can affect anyone with teeth, even infants. Contact Thornton family dentist to get yours treated!

How do dentists treat cavities?

Regular examinations can identify dental issues like cavities and treat them before they worsen. The sooner you seek treatment for tooth decay, the better your chances are of treating it and stopping its progression. Treating a cavity before it becomes painful will decrease the likelihood that you will require extensive treatment.

The severity of your cavities will determine how they should be treated. Options for treatment consist of:

  • Flouride treatment. Fluoride treatment can sometimes reverse a cavity in its very early stages and help restore the enamel of your tooth if the cavity has just recently begun. More fluoride is present in professional fluoride treatments than in toothpaste, mouthwash, and tap water. Fluoride treatments come in a variety of forms, such as varnish, liquid, gel, foam, or a small tray that fits over your teeth.
  • Fillings. Restorations, another name for fillings, are the primary course of treatment. Dental amalgam, a composite material composed of multiple materials, or porcelain or composite resin that matches the color of teeth, are examples of the materials used to make fillings.
  • Crowns. A crown, a specially made covering that replaces the entire natural crown of your tooth, might be necessary if you have extensive decay or weak teeth. The crown reduces the chance of fracture and aids in maintaining the tooth’s structural integrity. To guarantee a proper fit, your dentist drills away enough of the remaining tooth as well as the decayed area. Gold, high-strength porcelain, resin, porcelain fused to metal, & other materials can all be used to make crowns.
  • Root canals. You might require a root canal if decay gets to the pulp, the inner material of your tooth. Instead of extracting a severely broken or infected tooth, this treatment aims to save it. The infected dental pulp is removed. To treat any infection, medication may occasionally be inserted into the root canal. Next, a filling is added in place of the pulp.
  • Tooth extractions. Certain teeth require extraction because they are too severely decayed to be restored. Your other teeth may move because of a gap left behind after a tooth extraction. If it is feasible, consider replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant or bridge.