Tooth decay is another way of saying you have a dental cavity. A cavity must be treated and filled to prevent it from growing and putting your tooth at risk for loss. Your dentist in Loxahatchee, FL, takes a gentle approach to cavity treatment and can also talk to you about prevention.
Treating Dental Cavities
We use tooth-colored fillings to treat tooth decay aesthetically in our dental office. This approach means you’ll not need any metal or gray material—no amalgam.
If you’re diagnosed with decay on your tooth, we numb the area, clear the decay, and close with composite resin (tooth-colored filling), a material that can be colored to match your teeth. If the cavity is large, we may cap the tooth with a dental crown to preserve it.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
When you don’t clear debris from your teeth, including sugars and starches, these substances form plaque. Plaque attacks like an acid, and you’re left with damaged tooth enamel. Eventually, the plaque penetrates the tooth enamel, forming a small hole or opening. This is a dental cavity.
To lower your risks for tooth decay, it’s essential to understand what causes cavities. In the case of plaque, it is crucial to clear it away through regular brushing and flossing.
Of course, your toothbrush cannot reach every part of a tooth, and some plaque graduates to stubborn tartar, requiring teeth cleaning in Loxahatchee, FL.
Twice-yearly checkups and teeth cleanings pick up where your toothbrush and dental floss leave off.
How to Restore Damaged Tooth Enamel and Tell If You Have a Cavity
If we find that your enamel is weak and needs restoration, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to mitigate your cavity risks further.
Not all cavities have symptoms, but you may notice any of the following as the tooth decay progresses:
- A sensitive tooth
- A spot on your tooth
- A visible hole
Contact Your Loxahatchee, FL, Dentist
If it’s time for your six-month teeth cleaning and checkup, give us a call today. Also, reach out if you have any questions.