How your dentist in Romford can treat cavities
Cavities are areas of your teeth that become permanently damaged and develop into small holes. They are caused by a variety of factors and can leave your teeth looking unsightly and can cause a series of symptoms such as toothache and decay which in most cases results in tooth loss.
What are cavities?
Cavities are small holes that appear on the hard exterior of your teeth known as the enamel. They are one of the most common dental issues faced by people worldwide and occur mostly in children and teenagers. When left untreated, cavities can increase in size and can affect the deeper layers of your teeth; when this takes place, your teeth become prone to infection and pain and are at an increased risk of falling out.
The best way to prevent and control cavities is by having a well-balanced diet, limiting your intake of sugars, attending regular routine appointments with your dentist Romford, having frequent appointments with your hygienist at H Dental for thorough cleans and by taking good care of your oral health at home.
What are the main causes of cavities?
Cavities are primarily caused by tooth decay which is a gradual but harmful process. Tooth decay develops in many ways, these include due to the formation of plaque, which is a transparent, sticky film that forms over your teeth. Plaque occurs due to increased consumption of sugar and starch which come into contact with the bacteria that feed on them to produce plaque. When plaque is left untreated and not cleaned thoroughly, it hardens and turns into tartar which is a lot more difficult to remove than plaque. Plaque can attack the enamel of your teeth by attacking it frequently and removing the minerals found within it. This causes your enamel to slowly erode and form tiny holes; the tiny holes give way to the bacteria to come into contact with the dentin which lies beneath the enamel. When bacteria and acid come into contact with dentin, they are able to cause symptoms such as tooth sensitivity.
Other causes of cavities include frequent snacking, acid reflux, insufficient exposure to fluoride and dry mouth syndrome.
What are the signs and symptoms of cavities?
There are many signs and symptoms to look out for which may suggest you have cavities, and when you suspect you may be presenting signs it is essential that you contact your dentist Romford immediately, so that they can begin taking precautionary methods and treating the signs and symptoms to ensure the cavities do not progress and become severe.
Signs and symptoms we highly encourage you to look out for include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Spontaneous toothache which is reoccurring
- Pain when biting on food
- Visible staining on the surface of your teeth
- Small or large holes on the surface of your teeth
What is the treatment for cavities?
While tooth sensitivity and pain not necessarily mean that you are suffering with cavities, it is still important to get your teeth checked by your dentist Romford so that they can confirm a diagnosis and take the necessary action.
In the case of cavities, your dentist can prescribe you a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth with. Fluoride works to remineralise your teeth after it has been exposed to acid, which increases it in strength. Additionally, any holes can be filled with dental filling, and crowns can be fitted in for more severe holes. Finally, if your teeth have decayed too much, the dentist can carry out an extraction to prevent further infection.