Cavities! : /?

I visited the dentist a few days ago. And realized i have my first cavities. I haven't had cavities before. So, i was somewhat shocked that i didn't even have any signs. is it normal to not experience any signs of having cavities, such as sensitivity and what not?








also; i am terrified of what they might have to do to get rid of them. from personal experience, does getting caps or other things for cavities hurt? do they use needles?

Cavities! : /?
i felt the same way yesterday! i was soo nervous and asking everyone at school what it was like. my dentist could tell i was nervous the moment i walked in! i just told him, yes i was a little nervous and he said he would be gentle. first, the hygenist put a little gell on my gum to numb it for the novaciane. dont look at the needle, it looks wayy more painful then it actually is, they say it will pinch when it goes in but the needle doenst hurt AT ALL! dont worry about the needle is the worst part and it doesnt hurt and then you dont feel anything the rest of the time youre there. good luck! ps. i feel the same way! i brush my teeth all the time but bad teeth are in my genes.





oh yea, you might want to bring your iPod or mp3 to block out the sound of the drill...its not pleasant. turst me you are going to be fine. in about 7 years they might have to replace the filling but thats it..a cap for a cavaty is not better than a filling...caps can goo bag





GOOD LUCK!
Reply:Cavities don't hurt at all unless the are very large and get near the nerve in your tooth.





He will need to use novocaine and inject it several times into the gums around the tooth, so you can't feel him drilling. Then he will drill the hole out to get rid of the diseased enamel, and fill it with a filling to match the tooth color.





You don't need to get you tooth "capped" (crown) unless you get a root canal.
Reply:Your teeth are bone, so depending on the size you may not notice a cavity forming. The best thing you can do is take care of your teeth, Brush every day, avoid soda.
Reply:unfortunately I've had lots of dental work done so i realise the anxiety you have.





Cavities can form without you knowing. If you go to the dentist regularly-at least every six months-then you will be able to treat any cavities while they're small. The smaller they are the less painful they are to work on.





The Novocaine they give you only feels like a pinch and the minor pain goes away quickly.





When the dentist starts drilling all you'll feel is the pressure of the dentist pushing the drill inside your mouth. It's no big deal, really.
Reply:Personally, I'd get a second opinion first. Unless, you really, really trust this dentist. A filling can cost upward of $250.00 to $500.00 plus depending on what the dentist convinces you to do. After a second opinion without giving away that you have already seen the first dentist, if the diagnosis is the same and the second dentist confirms that you actually do have a cavity, don't be nervous.





A superficial cavity requires very little novacaine. A deeper cavity requires more work.





Ask your dentist which one he has encountered in your mouth, if he says it's a superficial or "not deep" then you have the option of sanding the tooth and applying seal (or porcelain fill). A deeper cavity requires drilling, which means more novacaine and more time in the chair and will be a lot more expense.





A cavity is visible with the naked eye. It is discolored and soft. If you go to the pharmacy you can pick up a dental pick, and gently poke the cavity. If you feel pain stop immediately and get back to a dentist. A cavity is softer than the enamel around it and the pick will get stuck a little when pressed into it.





Second opinions are a must with dentists, better safe than ripped off.
Reply:Yes, it is absolutely normal to not feel anything from a developing cavity. Until the cavity penetrates through the enamel you would not feel anything. Once it is in the softer dentin layer, where it can spread much more quickly, then at some point you will start to notice things. As it gets closer and closer to the nerve, the more damage it does to the nerve.


It is better to have cavities detected and repaired BEFORE they start to bother you. Once you become aware of a cavity that means it is deeper and closer to the nerve. That is why dentists consider regular check ups and X-rays to be so important.


Depending upon how deep a cavity is and what sort of instruments your dentist uses will determine whether or not he needs to freeze your tooth before working on it. If the cavity is not very deep, or if he uses a laser to cut shallow cavities, or air abrasion, he may not need to freeze you.


If you need to be frozen, yes the dentist will use a needle. But today, needles are so sharp and small that you barely feel them.
Reply:They do not hurt at all as long as you have a good dentist and they numb your mouth so you dont feel the pain