Over 90 percent of adults age 20 to 64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Roughly one-quarter of adults in the same age group have untreated tooth decay. Are you in the latter group? If your teeth don’t hurt, you might assume that they’re in great shape. However, as your dentist in Harrisonburg explains, there aren’t always obvious symptoms when you have a cavity.
Symptoms of Cavities
New cavities may not feel like anything. That’s because your tooth enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth, doesn’t contain any nerves, so there won’t be any pain signals to let you know that your tooth has a tiny hole in it.
However, as you continue to go about your everyday life, you’ll expose your cavity to all sorts of sugar and bacteria that may make the cavity worse, a process that exposes the dentin beneath the enamel. That dentin connects to the nerve in your tooth. Therefore, as the decay progresses, the cavity will make its presence known. You may start to experience sensitivity and pain, especially when you’re consuming anything that’s acidic or very hot or cold.
Sometimes, you’ll be able to see cavities. If you open your mouth wide and look in the mirror, you might be able to spot little holes that signal you should make an appointment with your dentist in Harrisonburg.
Diagnosing and Treating Cavities
Ideally, you’ll become aware of cavities before they start to cause you pain. The best way to do this is to visit your dentist every six months or so for an exam. Dental professionals have undergone extensive training that helps them recognize decay in its earliest stages. Therefore, you may be able to get your cavities treated well before your body tells you that it’s time to seek help.
Usually, the treatment for a cavity is a filling. Your dentist will fill the tiny hole with a tooth-colored resin that will blend in seamlessly with your smile. If the cavity is small enough, you may not even need to be numbed for the procedure.
However, if the decay is severe, your dentist might have to perform a more extensive treatment. An inlay, onlay, or crown might be necessary to protect the weakened tooth and save it from an extraction. In some cases, a root canal is also needed.
Of course, the best way to address cavities is to stop them from forming in the first place. That’s why we always recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, limit how much sugar you consume, and get your teeth cleaned regularly by a professional.
Don’t let cavities destroy your smile! With a few simple preventative steps, you can stop decay before it wreaks havoc on that beautiful grin of yours.
About Us
We have three talented dentists in our office who are dedicated to promoting their patients’ oral health. If you suspect you have a cavity or you’re just read for a checkup, please contact our office at 540-432-6616.