When do you need a filling? You need a filling when the integrity of the dental structure has been compromised. A dentist can detect this with X-rays and visual exams. Sometimes an old filling needs replacing or you may have developed a new cavity.
Sometimes, a very small cavity is impossible for you to detect by yourself. A dentist would need to probe your tooth or even take an X-ray of your teeth to find it. At some point, a cavity will begin to make itself known to you. Here are a few common symptoms of a developing cavity.
Your tooth may throb or ache, and you may find yourself poking your tongue up against it. The pain may become especially acute when you eat something hot, cold, or really sweet.
You’re finding that one of your teeth is much more sensitive to changes in temperature than it used to be. When you drink something hot or cold, you may find yourself wincing.
It might be a white spot on your tooth, or it could be a dark or discolored spot. Either way, it doesn’t match the rest of your tooth, and it’s a sign that something is amiss.
It might be a tiny hole. Or it might be a larger hole or crack that you can feel with your tongue. If you can spot a hole in your tooth, you’re looking at some dental work on the horizon.
could mean be a sign of a cavity if food particles have become lodged in the cavity. Persistent bad breath is often a sign of gum disease.
Are cavities reversible?
You can stop a cavity from advancing if detected early enough and it is confined in the enamel. This is done through remineralization. If a cavity has reached the dentin (the soft inner layer past the enamel), it needs dentist attention as it cannot be arrested.
A cavity that has gone untreated can cause pain, swelling, infection, loss of tooth and can become life threatening. The cost of treatment increases with delay.
When to see a dentist?
Regular basis to detect the problem early on. If you are detecting any problems, do not wait until your next appointment rolls around. Timely treatment can save you money and spare you unnecessary suffering.
How to prevent a cavity?
Cavities can be prevented with good oral hygiene: brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily with proper technique, proper nutrition, drinking fluoridate water, chewing sugarless gum, dental sealants and vitamin D supplements.
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