You’re at your dental checkup for routine x-rays, a cleaning, and an exam. The next thing you know, we tell you that you have a cavity. How? You don’t feel any pain and haven’t had any problems. So, is it really necessary to have the tooth filled? In the next two blog posts, we will take you through why you need a dental filling.
Well, not all cavities hurt! That’s because the nerve inside your tooth may have been pulling itself back. Yes, sensitivity or pain can be a symptom that something is wrong, but here are a few other red flags to watch for when deciding that you need a dental filling.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay:
- Food getting stuck inside of or between your teeth
- Feeling rough edges with your tongue
- Something seems “not quite right” with your tooth
- Sensitivity when chewing
- Eating or avoiding specific types of food due to sensitivity
What’s the Problem with Untreated Cavities?
Tooth decay is like a run in an old pair of stockings. Once it starts, it’s there for good. It doesn’t go away on its own and it will only be a matter of time before it gets bigger and deeper into the tooth. What can easily be fixed with a small dental filling today may blow up into an abscessed tooth needing a root canal further bit down the road.
Get a Second Opinion!
We should be someone your trust. If you feel pressured into getting treatment that you don’t need or are second-guessing our recommendations, we encourage you to get a second opinion. In some cases, small areas of tooth decay can be monitored between checkups. We will let you know if this is the case. But, if we recommend that you go ahead and have a dental filling, it’s best not to wait. Some cavities can only be diagnosed with the help of dental x-rays, so be sure not to cut yours off for too long! While we’re at it, schedule your appointment or call us at Smiles of Memorial Of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, TX today!
Be on the lookout for Part 2 of this dental filling blog series! Next month, we will go over the hidden causes of tooth decay!