Cavities

You might not know of a cavity for a long time before it starts to cause any pain or tooth sensitivity, and by then, it’s probably pretty large. The dentists at Hendricks Dental Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, examine your teeth for cavities during every examination and can treat them with fillings, inlays, onlays, or a crown. Schedule your appointment by calling the office or booking one online today.

What are cavities?

Cavities are tiny holes in your teeth that form because of decay. The decay happens due to bacterial buildup, frequent snacks, inadequate oral hygiene, and sugary foods and beverages. You might also be genetically predisposed to them, but they’re quite common either way. 

Hendricks Dental Specialists examines your teeth closely during every preventive exam and looks for early signs of cavities. Most early cavities don’t have any symptoms, so it’s possible to get a cavity diagnosis by surprise. That is part of the reason why keeping up with preventive dental appointments is important. 

How can I tell if I have a cavity?

When cavities do cause symptoms, you should report them to your dentist at Hendricks Dental Specialists right away. Some of them could point to other conditions, like gum disease, but the team can examine your smile and give you an accurate diagnosis. 

Possible cavity symptoms tend to get worse as the cavity grows larger and can include:

• White or dark stains on your teeth
• Mild to sharp tooth pain
• Tooth sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold food and drinks
• Visible holes in your teeth

The Hendricks Dental Specialists team can go over your risk factors with you so you can take steps to avoid cavities in the future after they treat any you already have. They may advise you to brush more often, use fluoride, or minimize snacking. 

How are cavities treated?

Treating most cavities is simple and can happen in less than an hour. Hendricks Dental Specialists treats cavities with fillings, which typically involve liquid composite resin applied to your tooth layer by layer. Your dentist hardens each layer with a curing light. 

Inlays and onlays, which are rigid, can also treat cavities. Your dentist creates an inlay or onlay after taking an impression of the tooth after removing the areas of decay. They then bond the solid piece to the tooth to fill the area. 

If you have a large cavity, a crown may be the best choice to protect the tooth.

There’s no shame in having a cavity every so often, and Hendricks Dental Specialists can quickly remove the decay and fill the hole. Schedule your next examination by phone or request one online to see if you need treatment for a cavity today.