Your goal should be to avoid tooth decay entirely, with diligence and regular visits to your dentist. If you do have a cavity form on your tooth, you should make sure to have it treated before it becomes serious. Because so many adults will develop a cavity in their lifetime, it is important to understand how to handle treatment, even if you feel you have little to no current risk of having one develop. A cavity will need professional treatment if you want to avoid losing your tooth. Seeking that treatment promptly can leave more of your healthy tooth untouched by decay; restoring your tooth in this case can only require a dental filling.

What Regular Checkups Can Protect Against

Regular checkups are a routine inspection of your oral health, along with a comprehensive cleaning from your hygienist. Your dentist can actually find a cavity on a tooth before you suspect that anything is amiss. This is your chance to have a tooth treated and restored before too much material is affected by decay. Your dentist can also identify evidence that you have been grinding your teeth. The condition of your teeth can reveal wear and tear indicative of this habit. You may also show signs of TMJ problems, which your dentist can help remedy.

What Happens If A Cavity Goes Untreated?

If a cavity goes untreated, an infection will continue to spread, and infect more of your tooth. Once decay forms a large enough hole to reach the center of your tooth, it can become painful. If you continue to leave this problem unaddressed, your tooth may need to be extracted. A larger cavity that is treated may cause too much damage for a filling to be adequate; in this situation, your tooth could require a dental crown.