It Does Not Hurt, So Why Worry?

examination and treatment of the teeth in the dental clinic

On occasion a patient may come into our office just for a routine check-up and get surprised when we tell them that they would need a treatment like a filling, a crown, or a root canal. Why are they surprised? It’s because they haven’t even felt any pain. They often question the need for the recommended treatment because they feel fine.

Well, the answer is pretty simple. Many people do not know this, but the truth is, by the time a patient feels pain, the problem has already escalated and the decay has probably progressed to a more serious or damaging level, affecting the tooth and its surrounding tissues. That often means a more involved and probably more expensive procedure would be needed, too.

Cavity

For instance, you may already know that a cavity is simply a hole in the tooth caused by plaque (a sticky substance in your mouth made up of germs. If a dental professional catches the cavity in its early stages, a simple treatment like a filling can solve the problem. Cavities seldom cause pain until they’ve been ignored and the decay has gotten bigger. This is often that stage when the decay has broken through the enamel or outer layer all the way to the pulp or nerves. In this more advanced stage, a simple filling may not work or, may lead to the need for a root canal, which is a more extensive procedure, may be needed.

Root Canal

When the pulp of the tooth has been affected by decay, a root canal is performed by dentists. You see, the canal reaches down through the roots of your tooth and into its surrounding bone. A root canal basically hollows out the middle part of the tooth, fills it, and seals it completely to prevent any bacteria from getting inside. The main purpose of this procedure is to save the tooth since the soft middle part is not necessary for the tooth to function normally in your mouth.

You may think that if your tooth requires a root canal, then you’d definitely feel some pain, right? Well, not really. Sometimes, even teeth that need root canal don’t cause any pain. Your trusted dentist from Pickering Square Dental can see if there is anything wrong with the pulp of your tooth – it may be damaged or there may be some signs of infection. If your dentist finds a need for a root canal, then it would be done to avoid further infection both to the tooth and the nearby tissue.

Crown or Cap

This is another procedure that is often necessary, even if the patient is not feeling any kind of pain. The crown is the part above the gum line that you see. A dental crown is a replacement that is created to partially or completely cover the outside of your natural tooth. There are a few reasons a dentist might recommend a crown. For one, a tooth may have a large filling that shows signs of cracking or weakening. You cannot wait until that filling actually cracks because that would expose the nerves and you’ll experience extreme pain. A tooth that has undergone a root canal almost always needs a crown. In other instances, a dentist notices that a tooth is beginning to crack. In such a case, a crown can hold the tooth together and prevent further problems.

A regular check-up for preventive care can make a huge difference. You can avoid most dental problems or keep them from getting worse. Unfortunately, some people only visit their dentist when they are in pain, thinking they feel fine so there must be nothing wrong. But as with most other medical conditions, catching dental problems in the early stages could spare you from more complex and more expensive procedures.

Be responsible and give your oral health enough attention. A quick trip to Pickering Square Dental as scheduled can help you enjoy the benefits of healthy teeth and gums. Call us and we’d schedule you for a check-up!

Cavities: Myths and Facts You Should Be Aware Of

dentist's drill treating a sick tooth

Everybody, young or old, is afraid of dental cavities or what we commonly call tooth decay. Hundreds of years ago, ancient folks used to believe that worms are responsible for one’s toothaches. They are said to be boring their way into teeth. If a tooth was aching, then that only meant the worm is wiggling.

 

Now we all know that that particular story is nothing but a myth, although it still is an interesting theory that seems to work wonders with children. But while that particular myth is already established as such, there are some that still confuse us.

 

Here we will clear the air about what is factual and what is actually a myth:

 

MYTH: Only Sugar Can Cause Cavities

Here is how one opens the door to some serious cavities – You eat. Bacteria in your mouth then act on the food that you have eaten and produce acid that attacks your teeth. This bacterial activity requires carbohydrates like rice, bread, potatoes, and also sugar. Those are the primary source of energy of those bacteria. Remember that for a tooth to actually decay, four things are needed: a tooth surface, bacteria that causes caries, carbohydrates that can be fermented, and time. Sugar is not the sole culprit.

 

FACT: Acidic Foods Can Cause Cavities

Citrusy foods and juices like lemons can break down your tooth’s enamel and weaken it. Weaker teeth are more prone to decay. Like we mentioned bacteria act on food substances to produce acid, eating foods that are already acidic speeds up the process.

 

MYTH: You Shouldn’t Worry About Cavities in Baby Teeth

This cannot be farther from the truth – so please do worry! What many do not realize is that baby teeth actually keep the space in line for permanent teeth. Aside from that, cavities are a bacterial infection that when left untreated may spread into the adult teeth that are also developing underneath. Early loss of baby teeth due to a cavity blocks and disrupts the ideal eruption of the adult teeth.

 

FACT: The Decay Stops As Soon as the Tooth is Treated

A tooth is not capable of repairing itself. That is why when there is a cavity; “fillings” should cover the hole. Your dentist fills that cavity with the right amount of restorative material and the decay at that particular spot stops. However, that does not give immunity to the tooth. Without proper care, a new cavity may start to develop in the same tooth.

 

MYTH: Gaps in Between Teeth Cause Cavities

This is just a myth. In truth, it is easier to clean teeth with big gaps in between. The spaces make it harder for bacteria to reside there. Therefore it is less likely for you to get cavities.

 

FACT: You Can Actually Prevent Cavities

This is true. A cavity that is sealed on time can save a tooth. Prevention is always better than cure. You can prevent cavities from forming by brushing your teeth twice in a day, as well as flossing and rinsing.