Dental Fillings in Arlington Heights, IL
Every cavity will start small due to poor brushing or flossing habits. When not properly cleaned, acidic foods can begin eating away at the enamel of your teeth (the white protective layer on the outside). This helps make it easier to get a cavity because a layer of protection is gone, and bacteria can get into your teeth more easily. When bacteria begin eating into your tooth, you have the beginnings of a cavity.
Many times, people put off having their cavities repaired–or they may go completely unnoticed–because early-stage cavities do not cause discomfort. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t doing damage. A cavity will begin eating deeper and deeper into a person’s tooth until it eventually begins exposing the sensitive nerves of the tooth to hot and cold foods. The cavity can also reach the pulp of the tooth, which is the inner layer where the roots and nerves reside.
When this happens, the problem gets instantly bigger, and the person will often need a root canal to fix the painful problem that may result in swelling and a severe toothache. If they do not have the tooth treated soon, it will continue causing pain and getting worse, eventually even leading to an infection that can spread to surrounding teeth through the gums. An untreated cavity can also lead to tooth loss.
If you are suffering from a cavity, the team at Smiles for Families is here to help with dental fillings in Arlington Heights.