Natural bacteria live and form plaque in your mouth. When plaque interacts with leftover material from food and beverages, it forms acid. Over time, the acid erodes the enamel on your teeth and causes tooth decay, commonly known as cavities or dental caries. Treatments can include dental fillings, if the tooth can be saved, or a root canal.
Tooth decay and cavities are common in both adults and children. You can prevent them with good oral hygiene and routine dental care in our Annapolis, MD, dentist’s office. Dr. Vernon Sheen offers comprehensive general dentistry for patients and families, emphasizing the importance of routine dental visits for disease prevention and the maintenance of good dental health.
Avoiding dentist office visits for long periods of time or consuming a diet that is high in added sugars are key contributors to tooth decay. When left untreated, tooth decay can threaten the integrity of your smile, leading to gum disease and even tooth loss.
Dental Cavities Prevention
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Limit sugary and starchy foods
- Maintain regular dentist visits
- Dental sealants
Dr. Sheen can place dental sealants for patients of all ages and typically recommends them for children whose larger back teeth, or molars, have erupted.
Dental Cavity Symptoms
The best way to detect a cavity early is to maintain regular visits to the dentist. During your bi-annual checkups, Dr. Sheen can spot cavities in the stages when treatment is more conservative. Only when the cavity is severe will you experience symptoms such as:
- Toothache
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Pain or tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
- Holes in the teeth
- Pus around teeth and gums
Treatment for Tooth Cavities in Annapolis, MD
In its early stage, a dentist can stop tooth decay and even reverse it with fluorides or other preventative treatments such as dental sealants. Treatment for dental cavities usually includes tooth fillings. Dr. Sheen uses resin-based, metal-free composite fillings. They are tooth colored and will mimic the color of natural teeth. These types of fillings will blend in naturally with the rest of your smile.
Traditional dental fillings were silver or amalgam and were very much noticeable when you smile. Sometimes, they would even give the appearance of grey teeth. Getting a filling is a simple procedure that the dentist can complete in a single office visit. Tooth fillings provide long-lasting treatment and protect the tooth from further decay.
If the cavity is large, the tooth may not be strong enough to support the filling. In this case, your dentist will place a dental crown over the tooth. A dental crown will help give the tooth strength and prevent further damage.
Without treatment, your tooth decay can progress and spread to the inner layers of the tooth. This severe decay can lead to an infection developing deep within the tooth pulp. If it reaches this point, root canal therapy will be necessary to fix the tooth. You may even need a tooth extraction.
Tooth Cavity FAQs
Learn more about tooth cavities in Annapolis, MD with answers to these common patient questions:
Are dental fillings painful?
No, we ensure safe and comfortable filling treatment. Before treatment, we numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. This prevents you from feeling pain during the process. You may feel slight pressure or movement, but the numbing makes the experience comfortable. Our team will also check in with you throughout the procedure to make sure you are at ease.
What treatments can prevent cavities?
Multiple treatments can prevent cavities. In our office, we recommend sealants beginning when children’s molars first grow. We can also provide fluoride treatments after routine cleanings.
At home, you can brush and floss your teeth. We recommend that you floss before you brush to remove leftover food from between your teeth. Then, brush with a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush.
How long can I wait to treat a cavity?
We recommend that you treat a cavity as soon as possible, preferably within a year. Do not wait to treat a cavity, because it can become an abscess. A dental abscess is not only painful, but it can burst. This increases the spread of infection.
When is it too late to treat a cavity?
If an infection spreads deeper into the tooth, it can reach the dentin (the layer under the enamel) or even the pulp. The dental pulp contains your tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.
Once the cavity reaches the pulp, a filling won’t be enough. At this stage, your tooth might need a root canal to remove the infection and save the tooth. In severe cases where the damage is too extensive, the tooth may need to be extracted.
What does an early cavity look like?
An early cavity may not be easy to spot, but there are some signs to look for. At first, you might see a white spot or chalky area on your tooth. This happens when the enamel starts to weaken from losing minerals.
Over time, this spot can turn darker, becoming light brown, gray, or black as the cavity develops. You may also notice that the tooth’s surface looks rough or uneven.
When can I eat after filling treatment?
If you get a composite filling (tooth-colored filling), you can usually eat as soon as the numbness wears off. This is because composite fillings harden immediately during the procedure. We recommend that you start with soft foods to avoid biting your cheeks or tongue if you’re still numb.
What happens if a dental filling falls out?
If your filling falls out, contact our office. We can help schedule an appointment. If you can find the fallen-out filling, keep it in a safe place. Bring it with you when you visit us.
Until you see us, avoid eating hard or sticky foods that could cause further damage to the exposed tooth. Soft, easy-to-chew foods are best. The exposed tooth might be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers and avoid extreme temperatures to manage any discomfort.
During your appointment, the dentist will clean the area, prepare the tooth, and can replace the filling.
Can I get cavities even after I get a filling?
Yes, you can still get cavities, even after getting a filling. While a filling repairs the damaged part of a tooth, it doesn’t protect the rest of your teeth from future decay.
Cavities can form in other parts of the same tooth or in completely different teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, eat sugary foods often, or skip dental checkups, you’re more likely to get new cavities
Treat Infection Today
The degree of tooth decay and options for treatment vary greatly from person to person, so it is essential to make an appointment. Our dentist in Annapolis, MD is accepting new patients. We can treat your tooth cavities and other dental concerns you may have. Call us at (443) 482-5202, or request an appointment online today.