Cavities are one of the most common oral health conditions treated at dental offices. Fortunately, because cavities develop over a long period of time, there are many ways you can slow the progression of tooth decay. Learn about the steps you should take when you have a cavity, common treatments, and more before you visit your dentist.
What To Do if You Have a Cavity: At-Home Care, Treatments, and Other FAQs
Much of the time, you might not realize you have tooth decay until you visit your dentist and your X-rays or dental exam identifies tooth decay. The earliest stage of tooth decay typically doesn’t have any symptoms. However, you may be developing moderate or severe cavities if you notice pits on the tooth surface, discoloration, tooth sensitivity, toothaches, or pain when you bite. Tooth sensitivity may occur when you consume hot, cold, or sugary foods.
How Do You Take Care of a Cavity Toothache At Home?
If you have a toothache you believe is caused by tooth decay, there are several things you can do to relieve your discomfort while you wait for your dental appointment. For example, keeping your mouth clean with frequent brushing and rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times a day can reduce bacteria in your mouth that may be contributing to pain.
Some patients may get relief by using a cold compress on the side of the face or by avoiding extremely cold, hot, or sugary foods. Significant discomfort can be temporarily managed with OTC toothache cream, which is also often formulated to reduce bacteria in the mouth. You can also try using ibuprofen or a combination of ibuprofen and Tylenol to reduce discomfort.
When To Seek Emergency Care
You may need to contact your dentist for an emergency appointment if you are experiencing severe tooth pain that isn’t remedied by at-home care or if you develop facial swelling, pain, or an abscess.
Severe tooth pain that lasts for several days is sometimes indicative of a serious bacterial infection that has reached the root or pulp of the tooth. Your dentist can use an antibacterial treatment to clear out the infection and discuss other treatment options during your emergency appointment.
Can You Reverse Tooth Decay?
In some cases, it may be possible to reverse tooth decay by treating cavities with fluoride. Fluoride treatments can successfully reverse the early stages of cavity formation by remineralizing the tooth. Fluoride treatments to repair weakened or damaged tooth enamel can be done at your dentist’s office. You may also be prescribed prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to maximize the effectiveness of in-office fluoride treatments.
It’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about fluoride treatments if you have issues like increased tooth sensitivity, receding gums, or dry mouth. A fluoride treatment takes about 10 minutes to complete in the office and can be repeated annually for optimal dental health. After your appointment, you should avoid drinking hot beverages and brushing your teeth for at least four to six hours.
What Are Tooth Decay Treatment Options?
The main treatment option for tooth decay is drilling out the decay and filling the tooth. Modern dental fillings for the back teeth use silver amalgam, while filling cavities on the front side of the teeth uses composite resin that blends in with the natural color of the tooth. Fillings can last for several years before they need to be replaced and are usually successful at preventing the spread of decay to deeper layers of the tooth.
Significant cavities may require a dental crown, which is a type of cap placed over the top of the tooth that reinforces the strength of the tooth and stops the spread of tooth decay. Dental crowns can be made of materials that mimic the natural appearance of the tooth. Some patients who have root canals may also have dental crowns to fortify the natural tooth.
Is It Ever Too Late To Fix Tooth Decay?
If you have tooth decay, it’s best to get it taken care of as soon as possible. When tooth decay is left too long, it may not be possible to reverse or slow the decay with fluoride treatments. Untreated tooth decay may mean you need fillings to stop the decay from spreading. For patients with severe tooth decay that has reached the pulp of the tooth, it may be necessary to perform a root canal or extract the tooth altogether.
What Can You Do To Prevent Cavities In the Future?
Good oral hygiene habits are the best way to prevent cavities in the future. Ideally, you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to remove food and bacteria from between the teeth. Proper brushing can reduce plaque build-up that can eat away at your enamel over time. You may want to use fluoride-based mouthwash and toothpaste to strengthen your tooth enamel each day.
Additionally, you can use xylitol chewing gum between meals to reduce plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Research shows that xylitol gum and other xylitol mouth-cleaning products can fight against the formation of dental cavities, reduce tooth sensitivity, remineralize the teeth, and reverse some damage caused by bacteria. Xylitol gum is a great option for midday teeth cleaning after a meal. You may also consider using xylitol as a sweetener for tea or coffee.
Are There Risk Factors You Should Know About?
For some people, a major risk factor for developing tooth decay is genetics. People who have a family history of tooth decay, such as family members who have had several cavities or needed extensive extractions, may be at a higher risk of developing tooth decay in the future, even with ideal oral hygiene habits.
Certain medical conditions and medications that cause dry mouth can also increase your risk of tooth decay in the future. People who have had radiation therapy for cancer and people who have gum disease are also more likely to develop cavities. Your diet can also be a contributing factor. If you graze between meals without brushing, drink sugary drinks, or consume starchy foods, you may be more likely to have tooth decay.
The Importance of Dental Cleanings
While at-home oral hygiene is absolutely essential for preventing cavities in the future, regular dental cleanings are also important. Ideally, you should schedule a dental cleaning every six months, although some people with oral health concerns may need professional cleaning more frequently. You may also want to schedule a dental cleaning if you have swelling gums, tooth sensitivity, pain during brushing or flossing, bleeding gums, pain while chewing, or visible stains.
Professional dental cleaning can remove stubborn plaque from the surface of the teeth, clean bacteria from below the gum line, and assess the overall health of your gum tissue to identify early signs of gum disease. Frequent cleanings can also monitor your teeth for cavities so you can implement early treatments to reverse or prevent cavities.
If you notice any symptoms of cavities, you should schedule an urgent visit with your dentist right away. Early intervention may save your tooth from a root canal or extraction and can help preserve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth by remineralizing enamel. Schedule a dental check-up at Cornerstone Dental in Martinsburg, WV today.
