Sunday, May 16, 2010

How quickly do cavities develop?

I'm due for a 6 month checkup at the dentist next month, so I last went 5 months ago. At that time, I thought I would need a filling in one of my bottom molars - there is a very small dark coloured hole in it, in the natural pit of the tooth, but a toothpick will "stick" in it and I occasionally get some pain from that area in my mouth although I couldn't actually pinpoint it to one particular tooth.





Anyway, when I went to the dentist 5 months ago he said I didn't have any cavities, but when he was examining me he told the assistant to mark down that particular tooth and the one directly behind it to "be watched".





I've been brushing regularly and using mouthwash, but it seems to have got a little bit bigger in size.





At what stage will the dentist say I need to get a filling? To be honest, I'd rather just get it filled now so that it can't get any worse, because I don't want to end up with toothache.

How quickly do cavities develop?
If you've got a stick in the tooth with a toothpick you need a filling ASAP. Hopefully the decay hasn't worked its way down to the nerve of the tooth. Don't wait until a toothache!!!
Reply:He will probably tell you at your next appointment that you need it filled now but it sounds like it will just be a small filling. Usually when they "watch" a tooth it means you are likely to need some work done on it in the not-so-distant future. And if you have noticed it's slightly bigger then they will probably suggest some treatment. But try not to worry, decay is very slow to develop. Although you are getting some discomfort it takes a long time and a BIG hole for it to become a major problem.


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