The end of the year is a great time to come in for a checkup to ensure you enter January with a happy and healthy smile. During your checkup, your pearly whites will be thoroughly cleaned and examine for signs of decay, gingivitis, and more. If you have a cavity, your dentist will recommend that you come in to have it filled as soon as possible. In today’s blog, your team at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, is here to remind you to treat tooth decay and other restorative needs before the holidays.
Signs You Have Tooth Decay
Tooth decay happens when harmful bacteria in your mouth begins to erode your enamel. Symptoms such as sensitivity, toothaches, and bad breath could be a sign of caries. You may be able to reverse signs of decay with improved oral hygiene and fluoride treatments. If the caries continues to progress, it can lead to cavities which will need to be treated with dental fillings. Your dentist will be able to detect a cavity during your biannual examination, and you may notice signs of a cavity with symptoms like aches, change in texture, or a visible hole in the tooth.
How A Dental Filling Helps
Dental fillings are a restorative treatment used to stop the progression of decay and protect your pearly whites from significant damage. This is a commonly done procedure that involves removing the decayed part of the tooth and cleaning the area. After this, a lifelike material called composite resin is added into the space. The composite resin blends in with your smile, is easily bondable to the surface, and can help protect your tooth from bacteria entering the space. This treatment should be completed as soon as possible to prevent the cavity from wearing away at your enamel and dentin. If a filling is not done promptly, it could lead to needing more extensive treatments like a root canal or extraction.
Other Helpful Restorative Treatments
Restorative care does not stop at dental fillings. We have treatments available that can help address various types of damage like broken or worn down teeth, missing teeth, and more. Dental crowns, for instance, can be used to cover and protect your worn down pearly whites. Conditions like bruxism or TMJ can lead to your dental structures becoming worn down, and a dental crown can help protect and restore them. We also offer ways to replace your missing dental structures with dental bridges or implants depending on your needs. These restorative options can create lifelike replacements of your lost teeth to renew functions like chewing.
Schedule An Appointment With Our Team Today
Restorative treatments can help protect your smile from further damage. To learn more about our treatment options, call the team at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, today at 515-965-0230.
