At What Point Do I Need a Filling?

You think you might have a cavity. But you’ve been holding off seeing our Wyndham dentists until you’re sure that there’s something going on. Right now, your tooth doesn’t really hurt. You only feel a small twinge every now and then. But how can you know — for certain — that you need to go ahead and get a filling?

Cavities Don’t Always Hurt

Did you know it was possible to have a large cavity without any symptoms of pain? Some cavities hurt while others do not. Other signs you can look for include rough edges, sensitivity to sweets, or something feeling “off” about your bite when you’re eating. If it’s there for a day or two, be sure to let us know.

 You’ll Have to Get an X-ray to Know for Sure

There’s only so much a dentist can see with their naked eyes. When it comes to looking down into a tooth or between teeth, we rely on dental X-rays. Even though they’re two-dimensional images, radiographs can show us how extensive a cavity is and if it’s close to the nerve of your tooth.

Some Cavities Don’t Need Fillings

If your area of tooth decay is too big to fill (so much so that if you got a filling, it would compromise your tooth structure) then your only other option is to get a crown. Deep decay can even affect the nerve inside your tooth, requiring a root canal to save it.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Scheduling regular checkups at Wyndham Dental can help us intercept cavities before they turn into big issues. In fact, early stages of decay like demineralization can be reversed with fluoride treatments and good oral hygiene.

Think you have a cavity? Haven’t seen a dentist in six months or longer? Call Wyndham Dental today to schedule a checkup!