Cavities are a common annoyance. Some come with toothaches or sharp pain. Others may appear without warning. Cavity care and prevention are key to overall dental health and wellness. Keeping cavities in check can help keep the whole body healthy. A healthy mouth leads to better eating and better overall health. Today, preventative care and general dentistry can help prevent and treat cavities before major oral surgery, extraction, and root canals are needed.
If you have a cavity or suspect a cavity forming and need a dentist, call Supreme Dentistry today at
844.966.2333 to learn about our Houston-based compassionate dental care and
dental fillings.
What Is a Cavity?
Cavities are a dent or hole that forms from tooth decay. They are incredibly common and most often easy to treat. Cavities may form in spots that don’t receive regular brushing or flossing, like hard-to-reach molars. They are also common when tooth enamel is weak. Sugar consumption and a lack of regular preventative care can increase the frequency of cavities. Sometimes it’s hard to spot a cavity in teeth you cannot see in the mirror. Other times, cavity symptoms may point to other oral health problems. Signs of cavities include:
- Sharp or sudden tooth pain that comes and goes
- Discoloration and dark spots on visible teeth
- Holes or pits you can see or feel with your tongue
- Sensitivity to cold foods, drinks, and ice
- Persistent toothache
- Bad breath or halitosis
Cavities are small and sometimes easy to ignore. However, ignoring a cavity can cause bigger problems for oral and overall health. General dentistry can address tooth decay before major problems arise. Filling a cavity can prevent tooth loss and improve overall health. General dentistry can also provide recommendations for daily tooth care and more frequent cleanings. Untreated cavities may lead to extraction, root canal, and more serious issues. Think of cavities like a cave where infection can easily occur. Without warning, this infection could spread throughout your mouth and into your bloodstream. Luckily, cavity treatment is often easy and relatively painless.
How Are Cavities Treated and Prevented?
Cavities are treated by dental fillings. This is a simple outpatient procedure by a dentist, not an oral surgeon. Dentists use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth before drilling out the cavity. Drilling the cavity removed bacteria and decay to prevent further damage. This can also prevent harmful bacteria from spreading to other teeth. Often dentists will treat a cavity with fluoride to prevent further decay and strengthen enamel. The dentist will fill the cavity with a tooth-colored resin or metal.
Finally, they will shape the filling with a drill. Recovery from a filling takes a few hours. Numbness will dissipate and you may feel some soreness. Depending on how many cavities a dentist fills in a visit, fillings can take only a couple of hours. While fillings may not be the most enjoyable dental procedure, they prevent more costly and painful procedures and help keep teeth healthy.
Contact Supreme Dentistry for Preventative Care
We know cavities can be painful and even embarrassing. No one loves a visit to the dentist. At Supreme Dentistry, we use compassionate, comprehensive care to help your smile shine. Our office in Houston, TX, provides family dentistry serving dental health and cosmetics. Our dentistry services include:
- Routine cleanings
- Teeth whitening
- Routine fillings
- Preventative care
- Children’s dentistry
- Sedation dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Invisalign braces
- Full or partial dentures
If you have a cavity or suspect you have a cavity, don’t wait. Call Supreme Dentistry at
844.966.2333 to learn more and book an appointment. Don’t let minor cavities turn into major dental bills.
