Fix cavities

Cavities are a common source of dental health problems in the United States. Thankfully, cavities are easy to diagnose and can be easy to treat, especially when addressed in their early stages. Your dentist will diagnose your tooth decay by asking questions about pain or sensitivity in your teeth and examining your teeth and mouth, including dental x-rays. These methods will allow your dentist to determine what type of cavity you have, the extent of your tooth decay, and the best treatment for your specific needs. Many of these methods are employed at regular dental checkups, which allows your dentist to diagnose cavities and other dental conditions before they progress in severity. Cavities are far easier to treat in their early stages, which is part of the reason dentists recommend visiting for professional cleanings and dental checkups annually, if not twice a year. Ideally, your cavities will be treated before they even start causing you pain.

In its earliest stages, tooth decay can actually be reversed. Fluoride treatments may be able to restore the tooth’s natural enamel, possibly even reversing cavities in their earliest stages. Professional fluoride treatments contain high amounts of fluoride, which is delivered in the form of a liquid, gel, foam, or varnish that is applied directly to the teeth. Sometimes, fluoride treatments can be brushed directly onto the surfaces of the teeth, while other treatments use dental trays to expose the teeth to medically effective levels of fluoride.

Once a cavity has progressed, dentists will use dental fillings to repair the damaged tooth. These are the most common type of treatment for dental cavities and are available in a variety of materials, depending on the needs and budget of the patient. In some cases, if decay has weakened the teeth or is more severe, a dental crown may be needed. Dental crowns are custom made to cover the damaged or weakened tooth, replacing the tooth itself. To place a crown, first your dentist will remove the damaged portion of your tooth with a dental drill, then fitting the crown over the remaining tooth to protect it and restore the function of the teeth. Like fillings, crowns may be made from a variety of materials to suit your preferences while serving their intended function.

If a cavity reaches the inside of the tooth, which is known as the tooth’s pulp, a root canal procedure may become necessary. A root canal can repair a significantly damaged or infected tooth, preventing the tooth from being removed. In a root canal procedure, a dentist removes the damaged pulp and treats any infection that may remain inside the tooth, ultimately replacing the removed pulp with a dental filling. If a tooth has decayed beyond the point of repair, then the tooth will likely need to be removed. In these cases, dentists recommend replacing the tooth with a dental implant or a bridge, for aesthetic reasons and to maintain the positioning of the teeth while also allowing the teeth to serve their primary mechanical function of chewing.

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