If you have begun to experience pain when chewing or eating or drinking hot or cold items in one tooth, then you may have a cavity. While cavities aren’t extremely uncommon, they are issues you shouldn’t ignore as they are only going to get worse as time passes.
Before moving forward with dental fillings, or any other treatment, it is best to learn more about the cavity.
Cavities Defined
A cavity is when a hole develops in your tooth. This occurs when the acid, produced by the bacteria present in plaque, eat away at the minerals at a rate that is faster than the tooth is able to repair. You typically won’t know a cavity has formed until an infection has developed, which is when you begin to experience pain.
The Benefits Offered by a Filling
One of the best ways to help a tooth with a cavity, is by using a filling. For this, your dentist will fill the tooth with a special material that will prevent more bacteria from getting into the hole. Prior to administering the filling, your dentist will numb the area, and then use a specialty instrument to remove the decay and then insert the filling material.
What to Expect After a Filling
When the filling process is finished, the pain will be gone, and you will be able to use the tooth normally once again. Keep in mind, if the infection and cavity have become too bad, then your dentist may have to perform a root canal, to remove the nerve. In this case, a filling would not be used.
If you are experiencing pain of any type in your mouth, you should make an appointment with your dentist right away. If the issue is a cavity, they can use a filling to correct the problem. Learn more about fillings by visiting the Shifa Dental website.
