Most cavities are caused by plaque eating away at the enamel on teeth. Left untreated, plaque can ultimately eat a hole right into the tooth. Raleigh, NC dental patients have the luxury of choosing the best care for early cavity detection before serious and painful issues develop. But some people do not go to the dentist every six months as recommended and end up with large, painful cavities and areas of incredible tooth decay. You may wonder what happens if you have a cavity and what the possible outcomes are.
If You Seek Treatment
Keeping your dental appointment every six months as recommended for an oral cleaning and hygiene exam will allow your dentist to determine if an area of decay is developing. Some may be able to prevent cavities by removing plaque build-up, and others will catch areas of decay before they turn into big problems. If you do have a problem, typically your dentist will ask you to return within a few weeks to fill the cavity. This means that the decayed area will not be permitted to grow bigger and cause more damage to the tooth.
If You Delay Treatment
On the other hand, not everyone will visit the dentist every six months. Those who do not may not know that they have a small cavity until a significant amount of the tooth has decayed. Unfortunately, others may choose to overlook the dentist’s recommendation to have a small cavity filled. When a tooth is severely decayed, it may require more significant, costly work to be completed. For example, a crown may need to be placed over the damaged area, or the tooth may need to be pulled. If this is the case, the patient may need to pay for dentures or a dental implant.
Cavities are unfortunately common, and this is because plaque is a regular part of life. Removing plaque entirely through brushing and flossing can be challenging to do, and a dental hygienist is more prepared to thoroughly remove the plaque and prevent cavities during a dental hygiene exam. With this in mind, it is important for you to get in the habit of regular visits for prevention and early cavity detection with your dentist in Raleigh such as those from the practice of Gover and Gover Dentistry.
Sources
What’s a Cavity?, Kids’s Health
Cavities, WebMD
