Often, a cavity cannot be detected by visual inspection or a probing exam alone. The next step a dentist can take is to take dental x-rays. A cavity on an X-ray appears as a darker shadow or spot on a tooth, while a normal filling will be brighter. Sometimes, the dentist can detect that you have a cavity just by looking at your mouth through an oral exam.
They'll look for things like discoloration, destruction of enamel, or holes in the teeth. They can also use a dental probe or scanner to check cracks in the teeth for cavities and for soft spots or tenderness. Turner will take a picture of your tooth and be able to show you exactly what's happening. However, dental exams don't always reveal the level of severity of tooth decay.
When a cavity hasn't been treated for an extended period of time, it's easy to see. It will look like a dark spot has formed on the infected tooth. If your tooth is discolored, you may have a cavity. Your dentist can diagnose tooth decay using one or more of the above methods.
Then, he can show you the x-rays and photographs to help you know where the cavity is. As mentioned above, there are some patients who have tooth decay more than others. Usually, when they visit their dentist, sadly, they always discover that they have cavities, sometimes even multiple ones. This just means that you and your dentist must address one of the following factors to make your mouth healthier and cavity-free.
If your dentist tells you that you have a cavity, talk to him about the best treatment option for your mouth. If you visit the dentist on a routine basis, you'll likely be diagnosed with tooth decay in the early stages. The dentist can help stop the pus and prevent the abscess from getting worse by prescribing an antibiotic. The dentist removes the nerve, blood vessels, and tissue along with the decayed parts of the tooth.
Keeping your smile cavity-free is one of the most important tasks your dentist performs every time you see you. Elizabeth Turner is a comprehensive health family dentist in Lakewood, Colorado, who provides general, restorative and cosmetic dental care. However, if sensitive toothpaste doesn't alleviate the problem, you may have a cavity and need to see your dentist. A filling is when the dentist cleans the soft cavity and replaces the structure of the diseased tooth with a strong tooth-colored filling material.
If you have signs of tooth decay or know that you may be more likely to have cavities than most patients, it's important to ask your dentist how they can help you avoid cavities in the future. The dentist will fill the hole with a filling made of silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Talk to your dentist and doctor about things you can do to combat medical diseases that contribute to tooth decay. Your dentist can use x-rays and photographs so you can see your cavity before undergoing a dental filling.