Did you know that we can treat a cavity in a single visit, returning your tooth to full function and health? In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist will talk about how you can avoid cavities, and how we can use a lifelike dental filling to halt cavities and protect the health of your smile. Let’s find out how we treat such a serious oral health issue in a single sitting!
The Causes of Tooth Decay
What makes a cavity form in your smile? Usually your outer enamel, a layer of very strong material, protects the teeth from bacteria and injury. However, this doesn’t mean poor oral hygiene can’t weaken and erode enamel, or that your tooth won’t become chipped or cracked as a result of a sports injury or accident. When the enamel is compromised, the more sensitive and porous dentin is exposed to harmful bacteria. Tooth decay then forms, eventually leading to tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and an increase risk of infection unless treated.
Lifelike Dental Fillings
If we uncover signs of decay in your checkup, or if we find a cavity after you come to us complaining about sensitive teeth or toothaches, we will place a dental filling. We will first numb the area around the tooth and then remove all decay. Next, we clean the tooth and prepare the material we use in the procedure. Instead of metal, we often employ a tooth-colored composite resin, which is safe for people of all ages and can be shaded to match the color of your tooth. We apply the material in several layers and sculpt the tooth as we cure the composite resin under a light. The final step is to polish the tooth thoroughly. In a single visit, we treat your cavity and restore your smile!
Staying Cavity-Free
To avoid additional cavities down the road, we suggest you brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes, when you wake up and again before bed. You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. We also urge people to floss before going to bed. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks is beneficial, as is seeing us for routine checkup and cleaning visits every six months. If you have any questions about avoiding cavities, or treating them if you suddenly find your tooth hurts, then contact our team today!
DO YOU HAVE A TOOTHACHE?
For those with pain in their smiles, a restoration may be necessary to prevent serious complications. To learn more about treating tooth decay, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
