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Fillings and Cavities
Everyone hopes that after a check-up visit to their dentist, they never hear the words “you have a cavity.” Even though you may be doing everything right with your daily cleaning and flossing routines, you find yourself hearing these words!
Unfortunately, not all dental cavities become obvious straight away. That is why it is vital that you have a routine hygiene cleaning appointment every six months. This will enable your dentist to perform an oral exam to be sure your teeth remain in good shape. They will be able to keep an eye on any areas that could become a potential issue. Areas such as weak points where cavities may appear.
It is obvious that most people will know that when they have a cavity, something needs to be done to sort the problem out. In many cases, a simple filling will solve the problem. However, some do not understand that fixing the problem is crucial or what can happen if the cavity is ignored.
As professionals, we hope that by us explaining what happens once you notice you have a cavity, you will realise how important daily dental hygiene truly is. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect if you leave any cavity untreated.
Bad Cavities Can Cause Additional Decay
Sadly, cavities do not disappear on their own, and you need to seek professional dental help to resolve the issue. If left untreated, the cavity will continue to get bigger, and a single cavity can quite quickly lead to one or more cavities forming. As the tooth decays, the bacteria expand and deepen, making it more likely to turn the cavity brittle, leading to cracked or broken teeth.
Severe Cavities Can Affect the Nerves in Your Tooth
An even worse scenario is if cavities are continued to be left untreated. Eventually, the deterioration will become so bad that the decay will reach the nerves. As the cavity grows, nerves become exposed to air, which can be extremely painful. Where the tooth continues to become compromised, the pain will intensify and possibly be unbearable. If you do not book an appointment with your dentist until this stage, the tooth will need to be taken out, or you will need root canal treatment. Prompt treatment could avoid the need for either of these scenarios. In many cases, a simple dental filling will solve the problem shortly after discovering the cavity.
Cavities/Infections
An even greater concern is the pain you may suffer with the infection, particularly in your mouth and jaw areas. Infection can add to the discomfort and cause swelling and additional health problems. You will need antibiotics to fight against the infection and further dental treatment, whichever your dentist considers the best solution, to deal with the cavity. It is not just your oral health that can be affected; it can also cause issues to your general health.
Serious Illness/Death
Although this may be quite difficult to contemplate, untreated cavities may develop a severe infection that is serious enough to cause major illness or possibly death. Fortunately, the technology available to dental professionals these days reduces the chances of this happening. However, it is not advisable to wait until it reaches this stage.
For the above reasons, leaving a cavity to worsen causes a snowball effect. Prompt treatment is usually simple when you become aware of a cavity; ignoring it could result in a much more complicated treatment or detrimental effect on your oral and general health. If you believe you may have a cavity, book an appointment to see your dentist immediately.
Also Read: Things You Can Do To Keep Healthy
