Cavities & Tooth Decay in Kennesaw GA
Something “Off” About Your Smile?
- Dark spot on your tooth
- Discomfort in your mouth, face, jaw, or ears
- Pain when biting and chewing
- Tooth sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
Sound familiar? You might be dealing with tooth decay!
Left untreated, cavities and decay can travel to the pulp of your tooth and lead to a lot of pain. It can even cause tooth loss.
If you’re concerned, or it’s been a while since your last dental exam, schedule an appointment, and let’s see what’s going on.
What Is a Cavity?
Cavities form when the bacteria that live in your mouth excrete acid that wears down and erodes the enamel of your tooth.
Cavities vary greatly in appearance — sometimes they’re invisible! Generally, they appear as small holes that can be small as dots or cover the entire tooth surface. Cavities can also look like chips or dark spots on teeth and may be brown, yellow, or black.
Anyone can get a cavity and most people will experience at least one cavity in their lifetime.
What Causes a Cavity?
Bacteria and plaque buildup
Poor dental hygiene habits
Sugary and acidic diet
Smoking or vaping
Tooth grinding
Genetics
Can cavities go away on their own?
With the right approach to oral hygiene, small early cavities can be prevented and sometimes even healed on their own. Left untreated, the cavity will continue to spread. More advanced dental caries must be treated with a filling, crown, or root canal.
What happens to cavities if left untreated?
Without careful monitoring and active steps to limit the spread of a cavity, you may ultimately lose your tooth. This is because when a cavity breaks through the enamel and dentin completely, bacteria can reach the pulp of your tooth, leading to infection.
Fix Cavities & Tooth Decay
Kellie E.
I am beyond thankful to have found a dentist I can trust my entire family with. They go out of their way to provide the best care possible!
Tips for Preventing Cavities
- Avoid sugary foods/drinks (soda, juice, candy)
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of leafy green veggies
- Avoid tobacco products
- Brush 2x daily and floss every day
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a dental exam and cleaning
- Consider a fluoride treatment or tooth sealant treatment
- Wear a night guard if you suffer from tooth grinding
Cavity Treatment at Hildreth Dental
Tooth decay is easily caught during your routine check-ups. Thanks to high-tech 3D x-rays, we can catch cavities forming before they’re noticeable to the naked eye!
Depending on the size of your cavity and your overall dental health, there are several treatment options:
- Monitoring it closely
- Dental filling
- Porcelain dental crown
- A combination of a filling and crown
- Root canal treatment
Bill C.
I’ve been a patient for 12yrs. I’ve always been taking care. The staff has always been wonderful. I look forward to being a patient for the next 12yrs.
Location
Our Kennesaw Dentist Office
Address
2430 Powell Place NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Get Directions
Our office is located right off of Cobb Parkway behind the BB&T Bank.
Phone
Hours
Mon-Thur: 8am - 5pm