Learning About Dental Cavities with Boulder Canyon Dental
Hi, I'm Dr. Amy here at Boulder Canyon Dental. Here we get a lot of questions about dental cavities: What are they? How can I avoid them? Today, I wanted to take some time to answer some of those common questions and give you a better understanding of what a dental cavity really is.
Dr. Amy, what is a tooth cavity?
A tooth cavity occurs once bacteria has entered the outer hard shell of enamel on the tooth and entered the softer dentin inside.
Is not brushing teeth the only reason for cavities?
Not brushing your teeth is not the only reason you can get a dental cavity. They're often caused by not using the proper brushing technique, not using the correct toothpaste, but also diet and lifestyle can have a big impact on whether or not you're susceptible to dental cavities.
Is it too late if a cavity hurts?
It's not too late if a cavity hurts. That just means that when you go to see your dentist, you should be prepared for them to tell you that the tooth needs more than just a filling to get rid of that cavity.
How are cavities treated by a dentist?
A cavity is treated by a dentist by removing all of the affected tooth structure and then sealing it off with either a proper dental filling, a crown, or possibly a root canal and a crown if it is an extensive cavity.
Once the cavity has been filled, can it come back?
Once a cavity has been filled, the original cavity cannot come back. However, that tooth is still susceptible to new cavities in other areas.
How can I prevent oral cavities?
You can prevent oral cavities by having a proper home care routine that includes brushing, flossing, possibly even a mouthwash with fluoride or nanohydroxyapatite, as well as making good nutrition choices like keeping up with water all day long, limiting sugary beverages and drinks, and restricting acidic items to meal times instead of grazing throughout the day.
How can I schedule a dental exam and a cavity treatment?
Scheduling a dental exam and a cavity treatment is very easy. Simply call our office, and we'll get you in as soon as the same day or the next day.
I hope I've been able to answer some of your questions about dental cavities. If you have more questions or if you're ready to take action, please give us a call here at (970) 514-0662. We're here to help.