We know cavities aren’t fun. But ignoring your tooth pain is not the solution. You could develop serious tooth decay that can lead to tooth loss, and even the loss of your jawbone. Infection in your teeth can spread to your gums and even enter your bloodstream, triggering clots that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
At Silverlake Dentistry in Raymore, Missouri, Dr. Joshua Whitford and his caring team are here to provide you with the latest in general and cosmetic dental care. That’s why we’ve compiled this helpful guide to dental fillings, including what to expect and why they’re important for preserving your tooth health.
Dental cavities are essentially just areas of your teeth that have been damaged. When these cavities are left untreated, holes can form in your tooth, which can lead to infection, pain, and eventually decay.
Cavities form when bacteria eat away the starches and sugars leftover on your teeth from the foods you eat. The bacteria on your teeth will then turn these starches and sugars into acid which, over time, corrodes your tooth’s hard enamel casing and forms holes or cavities.
Pain associated with a cavity is usually sharp and can leave your teeth feeling sensitive, especially to acidity or hot and cold foods and drinks. Oftentimes, we tend to ignore that pain and shrug it off. However, ignoring your tooth pain can lead to more serious consequences, such as tooth loss or worse.
Cavities are the reason that dentists stress the importance of regularly brushing your teeth. When you brush your teeth, you’re removing the sugars and starches that bacteria feed on, thus preventing cavities.
The procedure for filling in a cavity is fairly straightforward. The whole process takes about an hour.
We first apply a numbing gel to both your teeth and gums and wait a bit for it to set in so that you won’t feel any discomfort when we start the procedure.
We then remove the decayed bits of your teeth and proceed with cleaning and sanitizing the area. Finally, Dr. Whitford fills in the hole and seals the tooth in order to protect it. The procedure is fairly simple, with minimal discomfort, but we do understand that people are often nervous about visiting the dentist.
So, talk to us to see if we can help prescribe an oral sedative or anything that may make your office visit more comfortable.
Get tooth pain treated sooner rather than later in order to avoid serious decay and the potential risk of chronic illness. Our office, here in Raymore, Missouri, is ready to serve your dental needs with care. Call us or set up an appointment right on our website today.
