How a General Dentist Treats Tooth Decay

General Dentist Palm Desert, CA

If you're looking for help from a general dentist to treat tooth decay, there are several things to consider before making an appointment with one to ensure your visit goes as smoothly as possible. First, you'll want to find the best dentist for treating tooth decay. The second thing you'll want to do is think about what kind of dental care you need before your appointment; this will make the experience easier and less stressful for you and your dentist.

Let's take a closer look at how your dentist can help treat tooth decay and keep your smile looking and functioning at its best. You may be surprised at the many solutions that are available to get your teeth back to their very best. 

Filling teeth

One of the most common procedures in a dentist's office is tooth fillings. A general dentist has access to materials that can be used to fill teeth effectively. The key thing about filling teeth is making sure that you're using appropriate materials for each specific type of tooth. For example, you can use different types of filling materials for your molars and your incisors. A dentist also needs to make sure that their cavity preparations are appropriate for each specific type of tooth, especially when treating tooth decay. If they don't know how to prepare a cavity properly, they risk causing damage or additional pain during treatment.

Root canal treatment

The most common cause of tooth decay is plaque. Plaque is food particles mixed with bacteria that stick to your teeth after you eat. The bacteria in plaque release acids that cause tooth decay, also known as cavities. You can still eat when you have a cavity but eating hard or sticky foods can hurt. If your cavity gets worse and spreads into the root, that's when it can become more serious than just some pain when chewing certain foods. It's important to see your general dentist regularly so they can look for these signs and identify any problems early on before you start having chronic pain or more issues arise later down the road.

To treat tooth decay, your dentist will start by examining it to see how extensive it is. Your dentist may also take x-rays to see how far it's spread and what else might be affected. The next step is treatment, which usually involves drilling out all the decayed parts of your tooth, so there's nothing left but healthy tooth pulp. The pulp doesn't have any nerve endings so you won't feel any pain during treatment. Then comes root canal treatment, which removes all your tooth's infected tissues and replaces them with fillings or crowns that keep everything intact until you can replace it with a dental implant or bridge. While this process is a bit extensive, it ensures that all of the build-up is removed and a healthy tooth remains. 

Crowns

Another possible solution is crowns. If you are missing one or more teeth, your dentist may recommend using dental crowns to restore your smile. Crowns are caps made of porcelain, metal, or ceramic material placed over existing teeth to improve their appearance and restore function. They can also protect weakened teeth from further damage caused by eating hard foods. When your dentist evaluates whether you're a good candidate for crowns, he will consider various factors, including your jawbone structure; how much gum tissue is present on your tooth roots; if any tooth root treatments have been done to save badly decayed teeth; and if there's enough tooth structure remaining to support the new crown.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist

If you've been struggling with tooth decay, you may feel embarrassed or overwhelmed about what you should do next. The good news is that your dentist can offer solutions based on your exact needs. There's no need to suffer from tooth decay. Instead, rely on your dentist to provide the help that you need to get your tooth healthy and strong. 

Tooth decay is something that many people experience, but it's critical that it's handled by your dentist. Putting a treatment plan in place will ensure that your teeth are preserved as much as possible and that you get on the right path toward a healthier smile. Contact your dentist today to learn more bout how they can help with your tooth decay issues. 

Request an appointment here: https://totalcareimplantdentistry.com or call Total Care Implant Dentistry at 7603943088 for an appointment in our Palm Desert office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Palm Desert, CA.

Recent Posts

What Are Preventive Treatments Offered By A General Dentist?

General dentists spend a significant portion of their time performing preventative dental treatments. These treatments reduce the odds of common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from developing in the future. Preventative care saves patients time and money by making it less likely that they will develop severe dental problems that call for…

What A General Dentist Does To Promote Gum Health

There are many ways that a general dentist can promote gum health. Your gums play an important role in supporting your teeth and providing a barrier against harmful bacteria, so it is critical that they remain healthy and strong. Keeping your gums healthy can also help prevent tooth loss and decrease heart attack risk. The…

Ask A General Dentist: What Are The Benefits Of Flossing?

A general dentist will tell you all of the benefits of flossing on a regular basis. Flossing should be a very important part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth is the first round of defense in fighting tooth decay but do not underestimate the value of flossing. When you get into the habit…

A General Dentist Answers FAQs About Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments are a method of cleaning teeth that your general dentist can provide. It is a naturally occurring mineral found in water and food that can go a long way toward protecting your teeth. It is vital to keep the tooth enamel healthy and fight off bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums…

Recent Posts

How Composite Bonding Can Repair A Cracked Tooth

How Composite Bonding Can Repair A Cracked Tooth

Composite bonding is one of the most commonly recommended treatment solutions for a cracked tooth. Read on to learn more about this type of restoration. It is a non-invasive and affordable way to restore the health, function, and appearance of the tooth.This review discusses how composite bonding is used to repair a cracked tooth, including…

Denture Care: How Often Should You Clean Your Dentures?

Denture Care: How Often Should You Clean Your Dentures?

If you are new to the denture world, you may be curious about denture care and how often you should be cleaning your new teeth. Having dentures is just like having your natural teeth. This is one thing that many people fail to recognize. It is also the biggest reason some people’s dentures do not…