Most people have at least one or two fillings in their teeth. Tooth decay is probably the most common dental health problem in the United States. Getting cavities is almost expected. Although cavities are that common, there’s still a lot people don’t know about them. For example, many think sugar causes cavities — but it doesn’t.
That’s why you need to call our Kennewick, WA dental office today at 509-591-0515 and schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning and dental exam. If Dr. Hadley does find a cavity, you can get it filled with a tooth-colored filling that blends in with your smile.
Why You Can Get Cavities
Again, sugar does not cause cavities, at least not directly. Instead, cavities are caused by harmful bacteria that live in your mouth. Don’t feel bad, because everyone has those bacteria.
The bacteria survive by eating tiny particles of food and drink stuck in your mouth. They can eat almost anything you can, but since sugar is packed with energy (calories), they thrive on the stuff. The more sugar you eat, the more those bacteria will multiply and spread.
That’s bad because they also produce an acid. This burns holes in your enamel. In other words, the bacteria create cavities. That’s why brushing and flossing are so important. They get rid of some of the food particles that let bacteria thrive and create tooth decay.
Cavity & Fillings Facts You Need To Know
Knowledge can be a powerful weapon, so here are some facts about cavities and fillings that you really should know.
– A cavity can grow so big that a filling won’t stay in anymore.
Until a cavity has been treated and sealed up, the bacteria there will keep on making that acid. That means your cavity keeps growing and getting worse. In order for fillings to work, you must have enough healthy enamel for the filling to bond with. When a cavity gets too big, that filling will just fall out.
That’s when Dr. Hadley can use a dental crown instead. It seals up the whole visible part of the tooth, making sure that cavity doesn’t get any worse.
– If your cavity gets too deep, you might need a root canal or a tooth removal.
Remember how cavities are caused by harmful bacteria? You could have a cavity evnetually grow deep enough to reach the dental pulp. This is home to that tooth’s blood vessels and nerve endings. That’s why these infections are very painful. A root canal is then needed, but if not done in time, the tooth could get so damaged that it needs to be removed.
By calling Marineland Dental Care today, you can get a dental filling or dental crown to make sure that cavity doesn’t lead to a root canal or dental extraction.
– You normally cannot feel a cavity growing in your teeth.
Your teeth have nerves, but they’re hidden inside the dental pulp. Your enamel has none. That means you typically won’t feel when a cavity starts — or when it gets big. Sometimes, a big cavity can let pressure from chewing give you some discomfort, but most of the time, you won’t know if your teeth have cavities or not.
That’s why you need to call our Kennewick, WA dental office for a dental exam. Dr. Hadley as the training and technology to spot cavities while they are still small, but only if you come by regularly.
– You can get tooth-colored fillings at our Kennewick, WA dental office.
Back in the day, the only type of filling you could get was metal amalgam. These silvery fillings still work, but they do not look good in your smile. That can be a real problem if your cavity is in one of your front teeth.
Thankfully, you can visit Marineland Dental Care and get a composite resin filling instead. These are colored to match the tooth it repairs, so they will blend in with your smile. It will be very hard to tell that you even had a cavity in the first place.
Call us today at 509-591-0515 ot contact us through our convenient online form to schedule your next dental exam. Dr. Hadley is your Kennewick dentist with the training needed to identify dental health problems and to deliver the right restorative treatments to keep your smile healthy.