Why Treating Tooth Decay is Different for Everyone


Why Treating Tooth Decay is Different for Everyone

By Wright Smiles

Cavities aren’t fun. They can seriously take away from the joy of eating, or make everyday life just a little more uncomfortable. The threat of cavities can stop you from indulging in your favorite treats, even if you have no reason to diet. When tooth decay develops, treating it is essential to saving the tooth. The treatment you receive, though, depends on your specific case, and how long the cavity’s been allowed to develop.

Is it a Cavity Yet?

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection in your tooth’s structure, and cavities are the holes that appear in your teeth as a result. Once it forms, a cavity will likely warn you of its presence with varying levels of discomfort. Before then, however, Dr. Wright may spot the early signs of decay, like weak tooth enamel, and treat it before a cavity causes irreversible damage. Before bacteria can invade your tooth, they have to bypass the enamel that protects it. Acid produced by oral bacteria when you eat can wear enamel down, and improper hygiene can allow acid erosion to destroy it.

How Much Trouble is Your Tooth In?

During your dental checkups, which you should attend at least once every six months, Dr. Wright can clean your teeth of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, as well as thoroughly inspect them for signs of enamel erosion or infection. Before enamel develops holes, it can usually be strengthened with improved hygiene and fluoride treatments. Mild to moderate cavities are treated with a dental filling, usually made from tooth-colored composite resin to blend in with your tooth. If the cavity is severe, you may require a root canal treatment to prevent the spread of infection, or an extraction if the tooth is impossible to restore.

What Kind of Filling do You Have?

If you’ve had a dental filling placed already, there’s a chance you may have received a durable metal amalgam filling, which has been the most popular filling material for over a century. Though highly-effective, they lack a few characteristics that white dental fillings make up for, including their cosmetic effect on your overall smile. Besides blending in with your tooth, composite resin bonds to it, too, creating a more effective seal and reducing the risks of an infection recurring.

About Your Southlake General Dentists:

As a native Texan, Dr. Gregory Wright opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more about TMJ disorder and how you can find relief from your symptoms, schedule an appointment by calling our office today at (817) 481-7999.