Have
you recently or ever been told by Dr. Meiners that you have a cavity?
But
nothing hurts or is even sensitive?
With regular x-rays and check-up visits, most
cavities are detected before they reach the nerve. The nerve inside each tooth
is most often what transmits the pain signal for a cavity. When a cavity is
deep enough that it reaches the nerve, a root canal must be done for the tooth,
as the nerve is now infected. In the diagram below you can see the enamel,
dentin, and pulp (pulp is another word for the nerves in the tooth). Cavities
slowly break through enamel, but once they reach the dentin layer of the tooth,
begin to move much quicker toward the nerve.
One of the main goals of dentistry is PREVENTION
· -
Filling smaller cavities prevents
them from turning into crowns and/or root canals
· -
Regular cleanings by your dental hygienist aid in the prevention and treatment of gum disease
that can lead to tooth loss
· - Root canals of abscessed (infected) teeth, prevent increased pain, swelling, and the spread of infectious
bacteria
· - Crowns placed on cracked teeth help to prevent fractures and sometimes even tooth loss
· -
Daily plaque removal with brush and floss, aides in the prevention of cavities and gum disease.
To keep your mouth in the best shape possible, see
your dentist regularly – an ounce of prevention is worth a thousand pounds of
cures!
