Despite our best efforts to maintain our oral health, cavities can still happen. Tooth decay can be caused for reasons other than sugary snacks and a lax in oral hygiene. Teeth grinding can cause tiny fractures in the teeth that can leave sneaky spots for bacteria to attack the enamel. Misaligned teeth can create nooks and crannies that make it hard for brushing and flossing to be effective. Even genetics can cause one person to be more susceptible to tooth decay than another. No matter the cause, when a cavity happens, it is very important for it to be treated. A filling is usually the first course of action. 

A Filling Stops A Cavity From Worsening

Tooth decay is a progressive disease that will worsen and deepen until action is taken. Tooth decay begins as white spots on the enamel of the teeth. At that point, a professional cleaning may reverse the decay and stop it from developing further. Once the decay turns into a cavity, it must be treated to stop it from getting worse. A cavity is a hole in the enamel caused from the acidic attacks of the decay. With a filling, the dentist will stop the cavity and restore the tooth to protect it from further decay. If a filling is not done, the cavity will move past the enamel, the dentin, and into the inner pulp of the tooth. The inner pulp is where the roots and the nerves of a tooth live. At this point, the cavity can become quite painful, and root canal treatment may be required to save the tooth. Without treatment at this stage, the tooth may become infected and an extraction may be required to protect the rest of your mouth.

What Is A Filling?

To perform a filling on your tooth, your dentist will first provide local anesthesia. Once the area is numb, your dentist will disinfect the tooth and remove any damaged parts of the tooth. A composite bonding material will be applied to the tooth, shaped, hardened, and polished to restore the tooth.

Treat a cavity before it’s too late

A filling can stop a cavity in its tracks. To schedule a consultation with Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.