Cavity or Teeth Decay?
Diagnosed with a cavity or tooth decay – what should i do?
A cavity (or decay) is permanent tooth damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling. Tooth decay is easier and cheaper to treat in its early stages. If left untreated, it can often lead to more serious health issues. White Fillings are usually the most aesthetically pleasing treatment that dentists advise for addressing tooth decay.
1. Further Decay – Cavities won’t go away on their own. If you ignore a cavity (or caries), it will continue to grow in size. Decay of the tooth will widen and deepen; this may make you more prone to brittle teeth. Your teeth could also crack or become compromised in some other way.
2. Nerves – The next step if you don’t get treated for cavities is that the decay will likely reach your nerves. If this were to happen, you could be in for severe pain. Often, nerves can become exposed to the air as a cavity progresses. This can be an ongoing and excruciating ordeal. By this time, the tooth will either need a root canal or will need to be extracted.
3. Infection – Infection in the mouth and jaw area is of greater concern even above the pain you may experience. Infection can lead to increased pain, swelling and other health concerns. You’ll need an antibiotic to help fight the infection along with treatment of the tooth to take care of the cavity.
How can I prevent cavities or tooth decay in future?
If you have been diagnosed with cavities or tooth decay, having them treated is the first priority. Once that’s done, you could take a number of steps to help ensure you don’t get new ones in future.
1. Regular Teeth Cleaning (Hygienist Clean)
A Hygienist Clean is a quick and affordable way to maintain oral health. A good hygiene clean helps clear plaque, tartar and bacteria that accumulate on the teeth over time. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. A hygienist clean once in 6 months is highly advisable.
2. Regular Dental Examinations
Keep ahead of the bugs. Regular Dental Exams can identify potential concerns and issues at an early stage, enabling you to treat them before they worsen and prevent future issues from arising. 6 monthly check-ups can really help in this regard.
3. Practise Preventative Dental & Lifestyle Choices
Minor changes to our daily habits and lifestyle can play a significant role in maintaining oral health. Habits such as daily flossing, moderating intake of fizzy drinks, eating a balanced diet etc. can really help.
We regularly share preventative dental health tips on our Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/WhitesDentalUK/
Whites Dental provides White Composite Fillings and Preventative Dentistry service to patients within our vicinity. We are conveniently located in Waterloo SE1, adjacent to Southwark Tube station. We are an under 10mins walk from Waterloo station, London Bridge, Southbank, Borough Southbank and Elephant &Castle. Please visit our homepage for more details about our white fillings.