Flower Mound TX Dentist, Dr. William Wyatt talks about cavities. Many patients ask us, How do I know if I have a cavity, and if I do have one, what can I do about it? Well, cavities, like most other health issues, can vary in degree or seriousness. When a cavity first begins to form, it’s pretty easy to treat, often with a small, tooth colored restoration that blends perfectly with your tooth... and we’re able to keep the tooth decay from spreading. If left untreated, however, it can lead to some pretty serious complications, including tooth loss, and nobody wants that! Your best chance of minimizing tooth damage from cavities is early detection and early treatment. When you’re in our office for your routine dental hygiene visits a few times a year, we’ll definitely be looking for early warning signs. We will also give you a professional fluoride treatment in our office. According to the American Dental Association, having a professional fluoride treatment after your dental hygiene visit can decrease the incidence of new decay by up to 75%. That’s pretty terrific, but there are also ways you can be on the lookout between your visits to our office.
Here are three signs to watch for:
Pain:
Tooth pain is not normal, so it’s definitely a red flag. If you’re experiencing pain, a cavity may be the cause of the discomfort.
Sensitivity:
Many things can cause general tooth sensitivity (teeth whitening treatments for example), but if you notice that a particular tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, sugary and acidic foods or pressure, it’s cause for concern.
Bad breath:
This one is tricky, as there are many causes of bad breath, but one of them is actually a cavity. The bacteria present in tooth infections (which is really what a cavity is) produces a very unpleasant smell.
If any of these sound familiar, call us today at: (972) 355-2222 to schedule an appointment for a dental exam as soon as possible. If it is a cavity, early treatment is vital to minimizing damage. And if it’s not a cavity, we will be able to determine what else might be causing the issue.
Remember, it’s always better to prevent cavities with routine dental care, professional fluoride treatments, sealants and good home care. We can help you develop your own plan to stay cavity free!
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Dr. William Wyatt and your entire dental care team
