Dental Early Cavity
Detection

Early Cavity Detection Makes for Painless Repairs

Many people think that a dentist can’t find a cavity until it leaves a dark hole. They also believe the only treatment for a cavity is a filling. Neither is true in the case of early cavity detection.
New technology has allowed dentists to find cavities sooner than ever. That also means you have more options other than a filling. These alternatives are natural and help teeth, in essence, heal themselves. The secret is catching a cavity as early as possible.

Using Tech for Early Detection

A dentist can find cavities with digital X-rays and a physical exam. However, many use laser light for early cavity detection. The light illuminates a tooth and allows the dentist to see into it more easily.
These devices are different from the ones dentists use to drill or perform dental procedures. The laser light used for early cavity detection is low-powered and doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. They have no heat or applied pressure on the tooth.

Early Stage Symptoms

Patients often are the first to suspect the early onset of a cavity. The first sign of a cavity in the early stages is white spots on teeth. These spots are under the enamel layer but are visible in a mirror. This is a signal that your tooth has demineralization, which is the prime condition for a cavity.

Teeth that have brown or black stains are also signs of a cavity, although those may be in more serious stages than when you have white dots.

Tooth sensitivity is another symptom of early-stage cavities. You may experience mild pain when consuming items that are hot or cold. You may also feel a sharp or mild pain when eating something sweet.

Early Cavity Treatment

A dentist can reverse cavities in the extremely early stages, making it highly important to catch them before they get bad. A small cavity that hasn’t spread past the enamel can be reversed by using fluoride treatments and better oral health care.
This isn’t always a certainty and a dentist can offer a better review of your case. However, tooth enamel is repairable with remineralization. A remineralization process will start with your dentist and will likely involve fluoride treatments from the dental office as well as some home products.
Professional fluoride treatments have more chemicals than over-the-counter products or tap water. This type of treatment only works for Stage 1 cavities. Once they reach Stage 2, you will need to get a filling.

Don't Wait to Deal with Cavities

The earlier your dentist can repair your cavity, the better off you will be. Waiting will mean you likely won’t be able to naturally repair the cavity with fluoride treatments. Waiting to get a cavity filled could result in more tooth damage and pain. It could also lead to an infection, which means a root canal or extraction could be in your future.

Make an appointment to address any cavities you have today and get a jumpstart with early detection to save your teeth from decay!

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