Categories: Family Dentist

How a Family Dentist Deals With Cavities

Cavities in adults and children are inevitable, but they are easy for a family dentist to treat if prevention does not work. All dentists are trained to help patients avoid cavities by cleaning teeth and gums and offering advice on oral care. If a cavity forms, the dentist can remove the damaged tooth material and replace it with a filling, though some cavities require more or less drastic treatment.

Cavity prevention

One important thing that family dentists do for adults and children is to clean and examine their teeth. A professional cleaning gets rid of tartar and plaque that the patient may have missed when brushing, flossing, and rinsing. In fact, removing all of the buildup on teeth at home is almost impossible for children and adults. This is why dentists recommend professional cleanings and checkups. 

Dental advice

During a checkup, the dentist can also offer advice on maintaining good oral health between visits. If the patient is a child, the dentist helps their parents understand how to guide their child in keeping their teeth clean. They may, for example, critique a patient's use of dental floss. Not flossing, or not doing it well, allows plaque to build up. Many cavities and cases of gum disease come from bad habits that a dentist can help patients avoid. Poor eating habits, for example consuming lots of sugary food, increase the odds of a person needing a cavity filled.

Treatment options

Once a cavity begins to form, little can be done at home. The first thing a family dentist does is confirm that a cavity is the cause of that patient's tooth pain. Sometimes a gum infection or even a sinus infection can cause pain, as can a minor gum injury. However, cavities are a common cause of oral pain that fortunately tend to be easy to diagnose and treat.

Fillings

Fillings come in several materials. The filling is a resin, porcelain, or other material used to replace whatever decayed tooth material the dentist removes. 

Fluoride treatments

Some cavities can be treated without a filling. If the dentist judges this is the case, a professional flouride treatment can be applied to stop the decay and help the enamel recover. This process only works if the cavity is caught very early. 

Crowns

In advanced cases of tooth decay, the patient may need a crown. After removing damaged tooth material, the dentist fits the patient for this tooth covering, which may be made of porcelain, resin, or a procelain and metal composite. The fitting and application usually require two seperate visits, but some general dentistry practices offer same-day crowns. 

Conclusion

A family dentist helps patients avoid cavities through regular cleanings and advice on improved oral hygiene. If cleanings and at-home oral care fail to prevent a cavity, the dentist can investigate the problem and prescribe a treatment, typically a filling but possibly a crown or, in the most serious cases, an extraction. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.leardidental.com or call Leardi Family Dentistry at (610) 444-8744 for an appointment in our Kennett Square office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist in Kennett Square, PA.

 

Recent Posts

A Family Dentist Shares How To Save A Damaged Tooth

Do you have a damaged tooth? Read on to learn how a family dentist can help you get your smile's function and appeal back. You could be disheartened if you damage a tooth, but the good news is that a family dentist can restore the tooth.The dentist will usually examine the affected tooth to know…

When To Take A Child To A Family Dentist

Considering seeing a family dentist? These general dentists undergo training to learn how to care for patients of different ages, including children. Family dentists are great resources to utilize as they can provide oral health care for the entire family, thus making them convenient options for parents looking to get everything done at once. Additionally,…

A Family Dentist Discusses Ways To Reverse Tooth Decay

Looking for a new family dentist? Tooth decay refers to the erosion of dental enamel. When complete tooth decay occurs, the effects are irreversible, but weakened enamel can be restored and strengthened through treatment from a family dentist. If you have weakened enamel or tooth decay, then it is important to seek urgent treatment from…

Family Dentist Questions: What Causes Cavities?

Choosing to ask a family dentist any questions that support the health of one’s mouth is encouraged. The more one knows about what it takes to experience good oral health, the more likely they are to have good oral health. Since cavities are preventable and treatable, understanding their cause is necessary.A family dentist is a…

Dr. Leardi

Share
Published by
Dr. Leardi

Recent Posts

What to Ask a Kid Friendly Dentist About Your Child’s Oral Hygiene

A kid-friendly dentist treats oral health concerns in children. However, an equally important part of…

1 year ago

Get a Dental Implant Restoration After Tooth Extraction

A dental implant restoration is often recommended after tooth extraction, as it prevents bone loss…

1 year ago

Preventive Dental Care Reduces the Risk of Contracting Oral Health Conditions

Learn how a preventive dental care plan can help you avoid contracting oral health conditions.

1 year ago

The Need for Dental Veneers

If you desire a more aesthetically pleasing smile, dental veneers are options that you should…

2 years ago

Periodontics: Understand an Implant Procedure

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that prioritizes issues that affect the gums and the…

2 years ago

A Family Dentist Shares How to Save a Damaged Tooth

Do you have a damaged tooth? Read on to learn how a family dentist can…

2 years ago