If left untreated, dental cavities can lead to major oral health problems, including tooth loss. Restorative dentistry treatments can repair the damage of dental cavities and restore your smile. When it comes to dental cavities, patients have a number of treatment options available to them. To find out which treatments are right for you, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Seattle dentist Mark Caggiano.
Treatments For Dental Cavities
Dental cavities can form at any age. Cavities form from plaque and tartar buildup and from eating sugary or acidic foods. You can help prevent cavities by practicing proper dental care. In the event that you do develop one or more cavities, it’s important to seek treatment immediately. Untreated cavities can lead to painful root canal infections, difficulty eating, bad breath, and tooth loss. Treating cavities at their earliest stages can help protect your teeth from further damage and restore oral health.
Patients now have more options than ever for treating dental cavities. Advances in dentistry have led to many aesthetically pleasing treatment options, including:
Tooth-colored fillings: Tooth-colored fillings are a more cosmetically pleasing option than traditional metal fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are customized to match the shade of the surrounding tooth to provide a seamless finish. In addition, old metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored fillings.
Porcelain dental crowns: Porcelain dental crowns are tooth-shaped restorations used to encase severely damaged teeth. Porcelain crowns can be used strengthen the walls of teeth weakened by large fillings or to repair severely decayed or otherwise damaged teeth.
Inlays and onlays: Inlays and onlays are another cosmetically appealing option for the repair of dental cavities. Inlays are used to treat cavities within a molar’s cusps. Onlays are used when damage is more extensive but not so severe as to require a dental crown. This is why onlays are also called partial crowns. Onlays can help save a damaged tooth from requiring extraction while also restoring dental appearance and function.
Tips To Prevent Dental Cavities
You can help reduce your risk of developing dental cavities by following these dental care tips:
Practice good oral hygiene: Practicing good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup and reduce your risk of developing dental cavities.
Avoid surgery, acidic foods: Foods high in sugar and acid increase the risk of cavities. Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar and acid to reduce your risk of dental cavities.
Rinse with water after meals: Rinsing with water after meals and between brushings helps remove food remnants and neutralize acids in the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities.
See your dentist regularly: See your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings to catch dental damage at its earliest stages and to keep the teeth clean from plaque and tartar buildup.
Receive A Personalized Treatment Plan
Your oral health is important to us. Don’t let dental cavities go untreated because they can cause severe damage to your health. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Caggiano for your personalized treatment plan.
