Dental Fillings
When the tooth cavity is small, get it filled up early
Getting it filled early.
When you get your cavities filled up early, it can halt the progression of the disease and prevent the lost of more healthy tooth structures. When there is more healthy tooth structure preserved, this will immediately translate to a longer lifespan of the tooth. As a tooth that has lost most of it's original tooth structure is weakened and may fracture easily when bearing the load of the forces of chewing. Therefore, early intervention is advised to prevent lost of the tooth or the increase in the cost of treatment.
What will happen if a cavity is not filled up early?
When a cavity is not treated early, it will spread and cause further damage to the tooth structure. It will then spread to the pulp chamber which is a space that contains your nerve and blood vessel. When the cavity reaches that space, bacteria will be able to invade the nerve and blood vessels that supply your tooth, leading to inflammation and the spread of infection. During this stage, a tooth can no longer be save by filling alone. It may need to receive a root canal treatment, which is the removal of the infected nerve and blood vessel from the root canal before the tooth can be restored. If it has become totally unrestorable, the tooth will need to be removed and replaced with a prosthetic tooth.
Prevent Cavities
Brushing at least 2x/daily and flossing daily is important to prevent cavities. If you are prone to caries, the using of fluoridated mouthwashes after meals, along with flossing and brushing can help reduce the occurrence of caries. Remember, to not brush immediately after eating, as your mouth becomes more acidic after a meal or a snack. When your mouth is in an acidic state, brushing will cause the outer layer of your teeth to wear away. It is best to wait for at least half an hour before brushing after a meal. However, if you are rushing for time, you can use a mouthwash to neutralise the acid before brushing and flossing immediately.
Avoid constant snacking throughout the day, as this causes your mouth to be at an acidic state always, leaving your tooth at a weakened condition, and increase your likelihood of getting cavities. Avoid sticky sugary food, such as, biscuits, breads, chocolates, toffees and etc are also important to reduce the formation of cavities. If you do take some of these snacks, try to keep it to mealtimes and to make sure you clean it out of your teeth after you eat it after waiting at least 30 minutes or after you use a mouthwash to neutralise the acid. Try to take food that is fibrous and requires lots of chewing, as it is a natural way to help keep teeth clean.
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Join us at Cornerstone Dental Specialist for gentle, family-friendly care. Schedule your visit today for a healthier, happier smile.
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