Cavities are one of the most common dental health complications. Despite the fact that when cavities are noticed in time, it is possible to save the tooth, there are many people who are still losing their permanent teeth to the problem. To avoid being one of these people, you need to consult a South Charlotte Dentist. Here are some of the things that you need to understand about cavities.
Causes of cavities
Poor dental hygiene and bad eating habits are some of the major causes of cavities. People that develop cavities:
1. Eat foods that are high in sugar content such as sweets, cookies and others.
2. Do not care about the brush teeth twice per day rule.
3. Do not go for dental checkups at least twice in a year.
Cavities normally develop when food particles are deposited on the teeth after eating. Plaque bacteria, which occur naturally in the mouth act on these deposits and form an acid. The acid is what eats away at the enamel and the dentin. The act of brushing one’s teeth deals with cavities in that it neutralizes the acid formed by plaque.
Dealing with cavities
The solution to the problem of cavities depends on the extent of the decay. If the cavities have only affected the enamel, it will be very easy to deal with it. The dentist will recommend a filling and toothpaste that strengthens the enamel. In case the cavities have reached the pulp cavity, and the decay is causing toothache, the dentist may recommend a root canal procedure. During this procedure, the Dentist will remove all the infected tissue, clean the cavity, disinfect it and seal it. A crown will be added to the tooth to protect it from further decay.
In case the decay has gone beyond the cavity and affected the roots of the tooth, the only solution that could work is extracting the tooth altogether. The extracted tooth can be replaced with an implant or any other form of dental prosthetic. To deal with your cavity, contact Caldwell, Bills & Petrilli Dentistry, South Charlotte Dentist. They will examine the amount of damage and come up with a suitable solution.
