Nearly everyone experiences an issue with cavities on their teeth at some point. Cavities are the first stage of tooth infection. When bacteria build up on the surfaces of your teeth and you fail to clean that bacteria away, it will begin to eat away at the enamel of your teeth. When your enamel becomes worn down, a cavity forms. That cavity is an infection that needs to be removed and repaired. If you don’t do so, the cavity will continue to go deeper and deeper. How deep is your dental cavity? The answer will determine what level of treatment you need to repair your tooth.
A Surface-Level Cavity Usually Requires a Dental Filling
A small cavity can be treated rather easily by your dentist. In a single visit, they can remove the bacterial buildup from your tooth and repair the tooth with a dental filling. This dental filling prevents more bacteria from getting into the cavity, and it restores the appearance of your tooth. It also functionally repairs the damage done by bacteria. If the cavity is small, you may not even need any dental sedative for the issue. If you let your cavity linger, the problem may worsen until more significant treatment is required to fix the problem.
Infections that Run Deep Reach Your Root Canals
Your dental enamel is designed to protect your teeth from harm. It is a tough, durable outer layer. However, it is not impervious to damage. Bacterial activity, over time, can wear down this enamel. Once it does, the bacteria will spread to the interior of the tooth, where layers of dentin and pulp are much more sensitive and fragile. When infection reaches this part of your tooth, it can cause you significant pain. It can also allow bacteria to infect your root canals. These are like a transportation system that carries nutrients to and from your teeth. Infected root canals can spread bacteria to other oral tissues.
Root Canal Therapy Can Save Your Tooth
In addition to spreading infection, infected root canals can cause your teeth to become less stable. To stop the harm caused by this condition, your dentist will need to perform root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is a procedure during which your dentist carefully accesses the inside of your tooth’s roots by creating a small hole. Your dentist will then extract all of the bacteria and infected tissue from inside. After sealing the hole, your dentist will use a dental crown to cover and protect your tooth from any future damage. This process can save your tooth and eliminate infection.
Restore Damaged Teeth at Cedar Dental
Damaged teeth can make it difficult to eat, and they can also lead to other oral infections. Treat infected teeth as soon as possible by reaching out to your dentist. At Cedar Dental, you’ll be met with a compassionate and informative staff. We can repair damaged teeth to have you feeling great again. Schedule an appointment for restorative care at Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108.
Recent Comments