Cavities occur at all ages and can lead to major damage and pain. Unfortunately, no one is immune to developing a cavity even if they practice good oral hygiene and see their dentist on a regular basis. When cavities are first noticed, it is vital they are treated early. Failure to treat them in time can lead to tooth necrosis and loss. Thankfully, cavities can be taken care of through general dentistry in Salem OR.
According to a brief from the National Center for Health Statistics, 27% of people ages 20-64 have untreated cavities. When cavities go untreated, they can lead to severe pain and the decay can often spread to surrounding teeth. Unfortunately, dental cavities can also lead to gum infections that can become difficult to treat.
Seeing the dentist twice a year is vital for the treatment of cavities. At these preventative care appointments, the dentist can discover cavities before they begin to cause major problems. Often, cavities can be treated before they cause any significant damage to the teeth, so a small filling does the job of stopping the progression of decay.
When a patient comes in for cavity treatment, the dentist will need to determine how severe the cavity is. This is done through a visual examination of the teeth and X-rays. It is important as much of the damaged tooth tissue is removed as possible so the decay does not continue to degrade the tooth and cause further damage.
Once the dentist has removed the damaged areas of the tooth, treatment can begin. A filling is put in place to cover the opening left behind after removing the decay. Fillings may be made from:
- Composites
- Silver amalgam
- Porcelain
- Gold
- Glass ionomer
The type a patient will receive depends on their own choice and what the dentist feels will be best. Many dental offices will use composite or porcelain fillings because they are white and can be colored to match the teeth so they blend in and are not visible.
If you are dealing with a cavity, it is important to seek treatment from general dentistry in Salem OR.
