Putting a stop to tooth decay is vital for your oral health, and for your overall health. If you leave a cavity to continue its spread, bacteria can travel beyond the tooth and create more trouble. You could also lose your tooth. If you act quickly, you can put a stop to your decay when its effect is limited. If you have a small cavity treated, your tooth may only need a dental filling. In some cases, your dentist can find evidence of damage to your enamel that could become a cavity, and offer treatment to help put a stop to the damage. Fluoride varnish treatments encourage the regrowth of damaged enamel. While this regrowth is not enough to heal a cavity, it can help your enamel recover before a cavity has formed. Continue reading “Early Intervention For Tooth Decay” →

The first step in any cavity treatment is for your dentist to remove the infected area from your tooth, and clean that area after the removal. The sooner you go in for restorative dental work, the sooner your dentist can put a stop to spreading decay. The amount of dental material that is ultimately lost will determine the type of restoration your dentist needs to use. If you had to have a root canal treatment, it will take a dental crown to fix your tooth. Crowns are not exclusively used after a root canal – a cavity may not reach your pulp, but it can still be too big for a filling. Smaller cavities can leave your tooth in need of a dental filling only. Continue reading “Restoring A Tooth After Removing A Cavity” →

Is there a pain in a tooth that does not seem to be going away any time soon? A chronic toothache might mean you are dealing with an endodontic issue, meaning something is wrong in the interior of your tooth. In many instances, this can stem from a cavity that has entered your tooth’s pulp, and allowed an infection of the tooth’s living tissue to occur. To eliminate this problem, your dentist will need to perform a root canal. This procedure allows them access to the pulp, so that the infected material can be taken out – once this happens, the pulp can be sealed, and your dentist can go about restoring your tooth. It is important for you to realize that without treatment, an endodontic problem can go so far as to essentially kill the tooth. Continue reading “Targeting Endodontic Troubles With A Root Canal” →

It is easier to understand what a dental crown can do for your oral health when you understand why your dentist might recommend one. In many cases, crowns serve as a means of restoring your tooth after a cavity, often after the tooth has received a root canal. Even if a root canal is not needed, you may still need a crown when too much of your tooth was lost to make a dental filling viable. They can also be used when other problems affect a tooth. If the tooth is injured, or if it developed abnormally and is not strong enough to go without support, a crown can help. If you are worried about how the crown will alter your smile, you will be relieved to learn that a ceramic crown can easily fit in with your natural teeth. Continue reading “How Dental Crowns Affect Your Oral Health, And Your Smile” →

If you have a cavity, you need to see your dentist – but what is the best way for you to spot a cavity? If you find yourself experiencing regular pain or sensitivity in a tooth, that discomfort can indicate the presence of tooth decay. However, there can be a period where a cavity is developing, but not causing you any discomfort. One reason people should see their dentist regularly is so these small cavities can be caught, and treated before they cause dental pain. Catching a cavity early can ensure that all you need from your dentist is a filling to restore your tooth. Continue reading “Finding A Cavity (And Treating It)” →