A number of factors could cause a cavity to form, from poor oral hygiene habits to consuming too many sugary sweets. When a cavity does develop, treatment is crucial for avoiding pain and the risk of infections and abscesses. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists will look at how we treat cavities for kids and adults, and how we often do so in the same day!
The Dangers of Decay for People of All Ages
Our teeth are coated in a durable and strong layer of tooth enamel, which shields the sensitive inner layers from harmful bacteria. However, when this outer layer is weakened and eroded due to poor oral hygiene habits, or damaged when a tooth is cracked or chipped, this exposes the sensitive inner structure and allows a cavity to form. Over time, the cavity will continue to grow larger and spread through the tooth. Tooth sensitivity and toothaches will grow more severe until the tooth becomes infected, causing serious pain and for many, the risk of losing the tooth altogether. If you or your child experiences pain in your smile, then please let us know right away so we can administer treatment.
Restoring Adult Smiles
For adults, we will remove the decay and clean the tooth. We then prepare the filling material, which is a metal-free blend of glass and plastic compounds known as composite resin. Not only is the material durable, but we can shade it to match the color of the teeth. We apply the material and then shape the tooth as the dentist carefully cures it under a light. Finally, we polish the tooth. If the tooth has more severe decay, then we may create and place a custom-made dental crown instead.
Minimal Restorations for Kids
We also treat tooth decay in children with a minimal restoration, which also uses composite resin to target and treat tooth decay, returning teeth to optimal health, function, and beauty. If a cavity forms in a child’s baby tooth, let us know. Don’t wait for the tooth to fall out, as this could happen months or even years after the cavity forms, meaning the tooth could become infected and lost. Premature tooth loss is often linked to a greater risk of dental misalignment. If you have any questions about treating cavities for children and adults, then contact our team today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO ABOUT TREATING CAVITIES
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team provides restorative care and family dentistry to help people of all ages, often same day. If you have questions about family and children’s dentistry, then you can reach our East El Paso dental practice on 10039 Dyer St., at 915-859-7000!