Sometimes, it’s what you don’t know that can hurt you. Although cavities and dental fillings are common, many people do not know much about them. For example, did you know you could have cavities right now and not know it?
That’s why you need to call our Nashua, NH dental office today at 603-546-7460 to schedule your net dental exam. Dr. Kiehl has the training, experience, and technology to identify cavities and repair them before things get out of hand.
How You Get Cavities
Many people think sugar causes cavities, but that’s not quite true.
Your mouth is home to harmful bacteria. (Don’t worry, everyone has these in their mouth.) They survive on food particles that get trapped on your teeth and gums after you eat and drink. They can eat almost anything, but sugar and carbohydrates are full of energy and help them thrive.
As they grow, these bacteria secrete an acid. When this acid gets on your teeth, it starts to erode holes in your enamel. Dentists call these holes “cavities.” That’s why sugar is bad for your teeth — it feeds the bacteria that create cavities.
The problem that enamel cannot regrow itself. It’s not like a cut that your skin heals. That’s why you need a dental filling. This dental restoration removes the bacteria eroding the enamel and fills in the hole so it doesn’t continue to grow worse.
Little-Known Cavity and Filling Facts
Most people will have a cavity or two sometime in their life, so here are some little-known facts about tooth decay and how to repair it.
– Cavities will continue growing worse until they’re treated.
Some health problems can get better with rest, such as a headache or strained muscle. Cavities are definitely not one of those. Until a dentist has the time to treat the cavity, the bacteria behind it will just keep multiplying. That means your cavity can grow so big that the entire tooth will have to come out.
– There are no nerve endings in your enamel, so you can have cavities without knowing it.
If you have a bruise, chances are you know why. It hurt! That’s because your skin has plenty of nerve endings. Enamel has none. All of the nerves for a tooth are in the dental pulp inside. Because of that, it’s very possible that you could have several cavities and not know it. That’s why you need to call our Nashua, NH dental office for a dental exam.
– If a cavity gets too big, you can get a dental crown instead of a dental filling.
In order for a dental filling to work, you need enough healthy enamel for it to bond with. Otherwise, it will just fall out. That’s why a cavity can grow too big for a filling. Thankfully, you can get a dental crown instead. This will seal up the cavity, but it will also hold a tooth together.
– If a cavity gets too deep, you’ll need a root canal to save your tooth.
The problem isn’t just how big a cavity can get. If it gets too deep, it can break through to the dental pulp inside. Since this is where you have all the nerves for that tooth, the infection here can be very painful. Worse, it can destroy the whole tooth unless a root canal is done.
– You can get a tooth-colored composite filling at our Nashua, NH dental office.
Gone are the days when the only way you can repair a cavity is with a metal filling. Those work, mind you. It’s just that they don’t exactly look nice in your smile. At our Nashua, NH dental office, Dr. Kiehl uses composite fillings instead. These will work as well as metal fillings, but they’re colored to match your teeth and will blend in with your smile.
Call Nashua Family Dentistry today at 603-546-7460 or use our convenient online form to schedule your next appointment for a dental exam. With Dr. Kiehl’s experience and training, you can find cavities that might be otherwise hidden from you. Then you can get tooth-colored fillings or even dental crowns to repair the tooth decay.