There are many reasons why you should not wait to fill a cavity. The most important reason to fill a cavity is to maintain a beautiful and confident smile. When you take care of your teeth, then you are confident to showcase your smile. Even better, the more you smile, the better you feel. As a matter of fact, showcasing a confident smile improves your mood and overall health and well-being. In summation, take care of that smile by brushing your teeth twice daily, maintaining a low-in-sugar diet, and regular visits to a dental professional.
How Long Can I Wait To Fill A Cavity?
Cavities don’t just form overnight; in reality, it can take a few months or even a year before the tooth decay advances to a point where the cavity will need attention. Therefore it’s essential to schedule a dental and oral examination every six months. For example, we determine your risk of tooth enamel erosion during the assessment. It’s necessary to protect the tooth enamel because it protects your teeth from everyday use, such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. However, this enamel can chip, crack, and erode from acids that eat away at the teeth. For example, if you drink too many soft drinks, the high phosphoric and citric acid levels can erode your enamel.
Early Cavity Detection is Important
Being proactive is key to maintaining your dental health. Specifically, early-stage tooth decay is treatable when detected early enough, which is why it’s so crucial to visit your dentist every six months for an exam.
Every Cavity Is Different
Adults have 32 teeth, which means a cavity on your molar might develop differently than a cavity on your incisor. Since you have various teeth in your mouth, the time it takes for a cavity to develop varies. Some people have softer tooth enamel than others, making it easier for bacteria or acid to penetrate the tooth. On average, as a broad timeline, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment. The conditions of your mouth change daily. Conclusion: a cavity can start to form, then not have the right conditions to develop. However, that cavity won’t just disappear; your dentist will be able to catch that slow-forming cavity and correct the issue.
Cavity Development
Various factors can significantly affect the time it takes for a cavity to develop. The most common factors that can increase or lower the rate at which cavity forms include:
- Cavities will start to develop when acid levels in the mouth increase.
- You allow plaque to form and stick, allowing the acid in the plaque to remove minerals from your tooth.
- Multiple small acid attacks. Your teeth are robust, but with numerous small acid attacks, eventually, a cavity will form.
- The location of where the cavity is forming is also essential to understand. Enamel is tough and comprised of minerals, which means it will take longer for a cavity to develop in enamel than in a tooth’s dentin.
- The density of the tooth enamel is also vital. Cavities can form quicker near the gumline because tooth enamel is thinner.
- Enamel with lots of minerals will take longer to get a cavity than enamel with fewer minerals. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals can naturally strengthen your enamel.
Cavity Prevention Tips
You can protect your teeth from tooth decay by following these simple guidelines:
- Pick the right toothbrush and gently brush your teeth twice a day. Brush for a full two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Make sure to floss once a day.
- Include a fluoride mouthwash into your oral care routine.
- Do your best to avoid sugary and starchy foods, and avoid frequent snacking.
- Regular teeth cleanings and exams every six months are necessary to eliminate cavity-causing plaque and tartar. During these exams, your dentist will be able to identify any early signs of tooth decay and give you the tools and knowledge to combat cavities.
Encore Dental
Address:
2663 Shaughnessy St.
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C3G7
Call Us: 604-464-4131
View Larger Map
According to our Google reviews, approachability, personalized care, great customer service, and the implementation of the latest technology and materials in dentistry set us apart.
Recent Posts
Do you experience pain when you drink or eat? Well, you may have a cavity. If you feel pain at the root of your tooth, you’re more likely to have some form of a tooth cavity. Cavities are a common problem for many people. While it’s not lethal, this problem can lead to serious health problems if left unattended. So, you may ask yourself, “Can a tooth cavity heal on its own?” The answer is fairly complicated, but regardless, you should visit your local general dentist as soon as you experience any sort of pain in your tooth. By doing this, you can prevent it from more damage.
At Lovett Dental, we’re committed to helping our patients to maintain their dental health. With the help of our team, you can keep your teeth bright, shiny, and healthy. Furthermore, unlike other dental offices, we offer comprehensive dental services. Whether you need general, cosmetic, or specialty dental services, our team can help. Furthermore, our dental offices are open Monday through Saturday, so you can get the dental care you need without sacrificing your busy schedule. Don’t let an infected tooth keep you from having the healthy smile you’ve always wanted. Contact Lovett Dental today at 832-804-7427 for more information about our cavity filling services.
Can a Tooth Cavity Heal on Its Own?
Some cavities can heal independently under ideal oral circumstances, such as:
- Proper pH
- Getting the right minerals
- Performing proper oral hygiene habits
- Maintaining a healthy diet
However, unless a cavity is in the beginning stages of formation, it cannot heal naturally, especially for one that has broken through the dentin. When you start feeling pain in the localized tooth, it’s a sign that the damage is too significant, and you should see a dentist for professional cavity treatment.
What Are Risk Factors of Cavities?
If you’re a lover of sugary foods, regular brushing your teeth is essential to prevent the formation of cavities. When you consume sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth convert sugar into acid, leading to plaque formation. The plaque weakens the enamel, thus increasing the risk of decay.
Other risk factors include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Lack of enough fluoride
- Dry mouth
- Eating foods that cling to teeth, such as candy
- Acid reflux disease
- Bedtime infant feeding
Each of these factors can significantly increase the chances of you suffering a cavity. Fortunately, there are treatment options available if you’re suffering from a cavity.
Treatment Options Available
Tooth cavity treatment is subject to severity. A simple oral exam will help your dentist to identify tooth decay. For cavities that are not noticeable from an oral exam, a dental x-ray will allow the dentist to find the problem area. Some of the ways to treat a cavity include:
- Fluoride treatment: Did you know that a toothpaste or mouth rinse with fluoride help prevent cavities and reduce the need for tooth cavity treatment down the road? Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste acts as a supplement for dentist treatment. However, if your tooth decay is in its early stages, a professionally applied fluoride treatment will reverse the damage.
- Tooth filling: Experienced dentists at Lovett Dental will use tooth fillings to repair minor fractures and tooth decay. The dentist removes decayed material from a tooth and then fills it with silver, gold, or composite resins based on your preference.
- Dental crowns and bridges: If you have a tooth with a root canal, fracture, or decayed, porcelain crowns are the best way to strengthen tooth structure and help restore your beautiful smile. However, if you have a missing tooth, your dentist in Texas will use a porcelain bridge to replace your tooth. Dental bridges are durable, making them an excellent option for replacing your missing tooth.
- Root canal: When a tooth cavity leads to the death of your nerves, you’ll need a root canal treatment to save your tooth. Your endodontic specialist will remove any decayed parts of your tooth, check for infections, apply for medicine, and finally fill and seal your tooth.
Getting proper treatment for your dental issues is vital to the long-term health and wellness of your teeth. Fortunately, at Lovett Dental, we’re proud to provide a range of dental treatment options, giving our patients the chance to keep their teeth healthy as long as possible. If you’re experiencing dental pain, then we want to help. Please reach out to one of our Lovett Dental locations today to make an appointment with one of our experienced staff members.
Get Treatment at Lovett Dental
Some dental problems develop without any pain or symptoms. Regular dental check-ups are the best way to catch a cavity before it worsens. At Lovett Dental, we offer general dentistry and a wide range of other dental services, which includes:
- Dental implants
- Oral surgery
- Veneers
- Dental bonding
- Teeth whitening
Save your tooth by having an early diagnosis for your tooth cavity. Visit Lovett Dental today or contact us by calling 832-804-7427 to schedule an appointment for your oral health needs.