Can a Dentist Stop a Cavity From Getting Worse?

A cavity is the result of acids in your mouth eating away at a tooth, creating a small hole. These acids are produced by oral bacteria that convert sugars in the mouth into acids. Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons that people go to a dentist.

Spotting a cavity on a tooth does not mean the tooth is lost. A cavity is a minor dental issue that can be reversed in its early stages.

How a dentist can prevent your cavity from getting worse

Tooth decay can be reversed if it is treated in its demineralization stage. Once that phase has passed, the treatment options the dentist can use to prevent the cavity from becoming worse include the following.

1. Fillings

These are part of the first line of defense against a cavity once it is past the demineralization stage. The treatment stops the cavity in its tracks by preventing acids and bacteria from getting into the tooth. Sealing a tooth with dental filling typically requires giving the patient a shot of a local anesthetic so they do not feel pain when the dentist removes decayed material from their tooth.

The putty-like filling is then inserted into the cavity and massaged so it completely seals the hole. The material hardens as it makes contact with air and saliva. Fillings can last up to five years with good oral hygiene, and they are one of the more affordable treatments provided by dentists.

2. Composite bonding

This is one of the newer ways to stop cavities. The composites used are mixtures of plastics and glass. They can be color-matched with the rest of the patient’s teeth so any repairs made look completely natural.

Repairing cavities with composite bonding is slowly replacing traditional dental fillings. Composite bonding also happens to be one of the more affordable treatments provided by dentists, and they can lead to better aesthetics than traditional fillings. These give dentists a way to stop cavities from expanding without compromising the way that the patient’s teeth look.

3. Crowns

Crowns are recommended when a cavity has already expanded to the point that a tooth’s structures have been compromised. The tooth is in danger of breaking apart due to further decay or bite forces in the mouth, so a crown might be recommended to protect it from additional damage. The crown also restores the appearance of the tooth.

Getting a crown for a decayed tooth sometimes requires removing enamel from its sides, or the dentist might have to rebuild the tooth with filling so it can hold onto a crown. The crown is cemented to the patient’s tooth with dental cement, and the restoration can last up to 30 years when properly cared for.

We stop cavities in their tracks

Are you dealing with a decayed tooth? Give us a call or stop by our Allendale Charter Twp clinic so our dentist can educate you about your treatment options.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandvalleydentistry.com or call Grand Valley Dentistry at (616) 259-6046 for an appointment in our Allendale Charter Twp office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in Allendale Charter Twp, MI.