When you have a cavity, your tooth could begin to feel sensitive and develop a painful toothache. To offer relief and prevent further complications, you could benefit from the placement of a lifelike dental filling. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist explains how we treat cavities in only sitting with a lifelike dental filling.
Toothaches and Tooth Decay
A cavity forms when the outer layer of enamel is no longer able to protect the sensitive inner layers of dentin from bacteria. The outer layer could become cracked or chipped in an injury, but in most cases plaque buildup brought on by poor oral hygiene habits weakens and erodes the outer enamel. As the cavity grows and spreads with time, initial tooth sensitivity could occur, followed by worsening toothaches. Without treatment, the risk of an infection increases, which could mean serious discomfort and even a lost tooth. If you encounter persistent pain in one or more of your teeth, please let us know right away!
Creating a Lifelike Dental Filling
If we find a cavity when examining your smile, our team will administer a local numbing agent and then remove all decay. We then clean the tooth and begin preparing the filling material, a mixture of glass and acrylic known as composite resin. This metal-free material is safe for people of all ages, and is color-matched to blend with your tooth. We apply the material and as it cures under a light, we sculpt and mild your tooth for an attractive appearance. We then polish the tooth. In one visit, our team will be able to treat your decay and restore the health and beauty of your tooth.
Safeguarding Your Smile
To help prevent future cavities, make time to brush for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste when you wake up and again before going to bed. You should also cut back on sugary foods and drinks, which feeds harmful oral bacteria. Every evening before bed, take time to floss, which removes what a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Every six months, make time to visit our office. With an exam, we watch for the earliest warning signs of tooth decay, and can offer treatment before you experience discomfort. We also clean the teeth, removing the harmful plaque and tartar buildup that weakens enamel and makes tooth decay possible. If you have any questions about protecting your smile, then contact our team today.
Do You Need a Dental Filling?
We have lifelike solutions for minor and more advanced cases of tooth decay. To find out more about treating a cavity in one visit, then please call Cedar West Family Dentistry at (612) 861-7188. You can also find us at 1537 E 66th Street, Suite #101 Richfield, MN 55423.
