I Think I Have A Cavity – Now What?

Do you have a sensitive spot in one of your teeth? If so, it may be a sign that you’re dealing with a cavity. Whether you suspect that this is your first cavity, or it’s just the most recent one, we’re here to help. But what should you do if you suspect that you have a cavity? Below, we explain what you should do if you believe you have a cavity in one of your teeth.

I Have A Cavity

If you think you have a cavity, you’re not alone. Each year dentists diagnose and treat more than 3 million cavities in the United States alone, and cavity formation is the number one reason why kids miss time from school. So while cavities are pretty common in today’s society, it doesn’t mean that you should just ignore them.

Unless you have a regular dental cleaning scheduled within the next week, it’s a good idea to call and schedule an appointment and let them know that you believe you’re dealing with a cavity. That’s because a cavity is a hole in your tooth, and the longer your inner tooth is exposed to food and bacteria, the more damage that can be done. Left untreated, an infection can set in and that can require a root canal to fix. Even if it doesn’t progress to that level, the longer the cavity goes untreated, the bigger it can become. Call your dentist as soon as you notice a funny feeling in one of your teeth.

What Happens Next?

If you’ve never had a cavity before, you probably don’t know a lot about the procedure the dentist performs to fix the issue. It’s a very straightforward procedure that can be performed in one short visit.

During your visit, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the nearby area so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. The tooth will then be isolated and kept dry during the procedure to reduce the likelihood of infection. Any decayed part of the tooth will then be removed using specific dental tools. Once the decayed area is gone, the dentist will clean the tooth so it is prepped for the filling.

Once prepped, the dentist will apply the filling material and cure the filling to your tooth using a light or another device so that it seals to your tooth. It will seal almost instantly, and then the dentist will check your bite to make sure the new filling isn’t affecting your normal tooth alignment and bite. Finally, the dentist will polish the filling so that it is as smooth as your other teeth.

That’s it! The procedure doesn’t take very long, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your teeth are protected against the elements. So if you’re dealing with sensitivity or pain in one tooth, don’t ignore it and hope it goes away on its own, because it probably won’t and the damage will likely get worse. If you want to talk to Dr. Brooks about your filling options, reach out to his office today for more information.