Tell your doctor about uncomfortable symptoms like tooth sensitivity or pain. Your dentist can identify tooth decay after an oral exam. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you don’t already have a dentist. However, some cavities aren’t visible from an oral exam. So your dentist may use a dental X-ray to look for decay.
Treatment options depend on severity. There are several ways to treat a cavity.
Tooth fillings
A dentist uses a drill and removes decayed material from a tooth. Your dentist then fills your tooth with a substance, such as silver, gold, or composite resin.
Crowns
For more severe decay, your dentist may place a custom-fit cap over your tooth to replace its natural crown. Your dentist will remove decayed tooth material before starting this procedure.
Root canal
When tooth decay causes the death of your nerves, your dentist will perform a root canal to save your tooth. They remove the nerve tissue, blood vessel tissues, and any decayed areas of your tooth. Your dentist then checks for infections and applies medication to the roots as needed. Finally, they fill the tooth, and they might even place a crown on it.
Early stage treatment
If your dentist detects a tooth cavity in its early stage, a fluoride treatment may restore your tooth enamel and prevent further decay.
Dealing with pain
Cavities and tooth decay can be the cause of a lot of pain and discomfort. You may want to find ways to soothe irritation while you wait for your dentist appointment. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few things you can do to deal with discomfort temporarily:
- Keep up your oral hygiene routine.Continue to brush and clean all parts of your mouth, including any sensitive areas.
- Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.Check with your doctor if you can use OTC anesthetics.
- Watch what you eat.Stay away from extremely hot or cold foods when eating or drinking.