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Cavities are what you get from tooth decay — damage to the tooth. Tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (called enamel) and the inner layer (called dentin).
What causes decay? When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, cake, or candy stay on your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities.
Another cause of decay is malocclusion. Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly and not able to properly function together. When malocclusion is present, bite forces are increased, like clinching and grinding, causing undue stress on our teeth from wear patterns to fractures causing bacteria to begin the process of turning into acid and causing decay.
Many people think only children get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age make them an adult problem, too. As you get older, your gums pull away from your teeth. They can also pull away because of gum disease. This exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque. And if you eat a lot of sugary or high-carb foods and smoke you’re more likely to get cavities.
Older adults sometimes get decay around the edges of fillings. Seniors often have a lot of dental work because they didn’t get fluoride or good oral care when they were kids. Over the years, these fillings can weaken teeth and break. Bacteria gather in the gaps and cause decay.
Your dentist finds cavities during a regular dental checkup. He’ll probe your teeth, looking for soft spots, or use X-rays to check between your teeth. We encourage our patients to visit our office a minimum of twice per year as a preventative measure to allow us to approach dentistry as minimally invasive as possible.
If you’ve had a cavity for a while, you might get a toothache, especially after you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold. Sometimes you can see pits or holes in your teeth. If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, please don’t delay – call our office at 770-343-6565 today to schedule your dental examination.
Treatment depends on how bad the cavity is. Most often, the dentist removes the decayed portion of your tooth with a drill. He fills in the hole with a filling made of either porcelain or a composite resin. Times and dentistry have changed. Today, when it comes to your teeth and your health, you can insist on metal-free dentistry. Whether restoring a tooth to health or replacing an existing metal filling, there are a variety of non-metal restorations available. At Don Harvey Dental we only use the highest grade of materials that are safe and have been biocompatible tested to ensure longevity and function.
Simply put, while it is our opinion that the hazard of mercury in amalgam fillings is controversial, we choose not to use them since there are so many other great options. This has been the policy at Don Harvey Dental since the late 1980s.
Crowns are used when a tooth is so badly decayed that not much of it remains. Your dentist removes and repairs the damaged part. He fits a crown made from porcelain over the rest of the tooth, this procedure will ensure longevity and replace the tooth to full function and typically takes two appointments to achieve.
You might need a root canal if the root or pulp of your tooth is dead. The dentist removes the nerve, blood vessels, and tissue along with the decayed portions of the tooth. He fills in the roots with a sealing material. A porcelain crown is highly recommended to protect the remaining healthy tooth structure from becoming weak and fracturing, this will also ensure longevity and replace the tooth to full function.
Dr. Harvey and his team are dedicated to providing you and your family the comprehensive, comfortable and convenient dental care you deserve. We offer high quality dental services that are tailored to the individual. Your needs are our top priority, and our goal is to help you to improve your smile and your overall health while making your experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible. Our professional and courteous dental practice is committed to helping you achieve the best oral health for a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you soon!
