You probably do your best to care of your smile and keep it healthy. If you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, mind your sugary snacks, drink plenty of water, and visit your dentist for regular exams, you are doing good work on caring for your smile. Though, sometimes, despite even the best of efforts, you can still find yourself with a cavity. While the causes are often a lapse in hygiene, things like grinding your teeth (bruxism) or misalignment can lead to tooth decay. A cavity is created once tooth decay has eroded enough of your enamel to form a small hole. A filling can help a tooth with a cavity by stopping tooth decay from progressing and causing more damage.
What Is a Cavity?
In the earliest stages of tooth decay, it can sometimes be reversed with a dental cleaning and improved hygiene. Because early decay usually has no noticeable pain or signs to the person it is affecting, it is very important to maintain regular check-ups with your dentist. Your dentist can identify tooth decay in earliest of stages. Once tooth decay has caused erosion to the enamel, there is no way to reverse it. If left untreated, the decay can reach the dentin, the inner layer just beneath the enamel. Without a filling at this stage, the decay can continue to deepen into the inner pulp, where infection and inflammation can become quite painful. At this point, a root canal treatment may be required to remove the infection and relieve inflammation from the inner pulp of the tooth.
How Does a Filling Stop It?
The first step of a filling is for your dentist to completely disinfect the tooth. Any damaged pieces of tooth or remnants of decay will be removed. Next, your dentist will restore the tooth’s enamel with a composite resin bonding material to protect it from future damage and decay. It will also restore the tooth’s abilities to function.
A Filling Can Help a Vulnerable Tooth
A vulnerable tooth may be saved by a filling. To schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.