Cavities are one of the most common dental health complications. This is because despite all the efforts dental healthcare experts put to promote dental hygiene, many people only realize the importance of proper dental practices when they have an emergency. Cavities are the number one cause of tooth loss in the country. However, it is possible to remedy cavities depending on their severity. Below is a summary on how a dentist in Heber Springs deals with cavities.
The checkup
Regular checkups are an important way to find out if you could be developing cavities. It is recommended that you should see a dentist at least once every three months even if you do not have any pressing dental issues. This is a great way to ensure that in case you are developing cavities, they are addressed before they turn into a complete mess.
Cavities are caused by poor dental hygiene. They form when food particles from eating sugary and starchy foods are left in the mouth. Mouth bacteria act on these foods and form acids that corrode the enamel and the dentin leading to cavities.
Dealing with cavities
The most common indicator that you are developing cavities is sensitivity in the teeth. If the cavities have reached the pulp cavity, tooth decay results and this can lead to very painful toothaches. The way a dentist deals with cavities will depend on their extent.
1. If the cavities have only affected the enamel, a simple filing process followed by calcium fortification will be enough to solve the problem.
2. If the cavity has affected the dentin and the pulp cavity, you will probably have to get a root canal procedure. This is the process that basically kills the tooth to stop further decay and pain. The dentist removes all the decaying tissue in the pulp cavity and then cleans and sterilizes it. When the cavity is clean, they seal it to prevent further decay.
There are instances where the damage could be so extensive that you will need to get the tooth removed and replaced with an artificial one. Jason T. Bolding, DDS has the best dentist in Heber springs. They deal with cavities and many other dental issues. To book an appointment, go to website
