Dental Cavities & Fillings
in Mission Valley
Restore Decayed Teeth
Cavities & Fillings
Though they are preventable with proper oral hygiene, cavities are a common oral health issue among adults and children alike. If you’re in Mission Valley, contact us today to learn more about our treatments. Schedule an appointment with our Mission Valley dentist today!
Chew on This
Cavities are the #1 most common preventable childhood disease.
More than 90% of adults have a cavity in one or more of their permanent teeth.
The first sign of a cavity is a soft spot in your tooth.
Soft spots are easily detectable and reversible with a fluoride treatment.
Dental sealants can help stop cavities from ever forming.
Cavities are the #1 most common preventable childhood disease.
More than 90% of adults have a cavity in one or more of their permanent teeth.
The first sign of a cavity is a soft spot in your tooth.
Soft spots are easily detectable and reversible with a fluoride treatment.
Dental sealants can help stop cavities from ever forming.
Understanding Cavities
How Do Cavities Form?
Cavities are caused by improper oral hygiene. Contributing factors can include a diet rich in sugar and starch, drinking sweet beverages, using tobacco products, and drinking alcohol excessively.
If you do not clean your teeth properly, bacteria in your mouth will start to consume sugar and starch from food particles. The byproduct of this turns into acid, which eats away at the enamel of your tooth. Given enough time, this creates in a hole in your tooth, also known as a cavity.
The Signs of Cavities
Do They Always Hurt?
Pain in a tooth may indicate a cavity, but cavities don’t always hurt. Other signs you should be on the lookout for include brown or black staining/discoloration of a tooth, sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure, and visible holes or pits in your teeth.
Treating Cavities
What Are My Options?
If we can catch your cavity early, we will recommend a filling. This involves removing the decayed enamel with a dental drill and replacing it with a composite or metal-amalgam filling, restoring the shape and function of your tooth.
If you have a major cavity, though, you may need a dental crown. Dental crowns cover up the entire exterior surface of your tooth, and can restore your tooth after it has been affected by a large cavity.
Composite Vs. Amalgam Fillings
What’s Right for Me?
Composite fillings are made out of a special type of dental resin. They require the removal of less enamel compared to metal-amalgam fillings, and provide a sturdy hold. In addition, the resin will match the color of your teeth for a more seamless restoration.Metal-amalgam fillings, on the other hand, use a blend of metals like tin, mercury, and silver. They are affordable, pliable, and last a long time, but they do discolor your tooth.
Our Top Tips
For Cavity Prevention
The best advice we have is to brush your teeth at least twice per day for two minutes, and to floss once per day. You should also see the team at Rio Vista Family Dentistry & Orthodontics for regular, six-month teeth cleanings, so that we can catch any potential cavities early.
In addition, reducing sugar and simple starches in your diet and avoiding sugary beverages can help decrease your risk of cavities. Other lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of a cavity include discontinuing the use of tobacco, reducing your alcohol use, and minimizing snacking between meals.
Stop Decay.
Schedule Your Appointment.
Book OnlineModern Dental Care
Your Local Mission Valley Dentist
hours
M & W: 7am - 6pm
T & Th: 7am - 4pm
F: 7:30am - 2pm
Address
8590 Rio San Diego Drive
Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92108
