Hole in a Tooth Treatment in Queens, NY

Typically, a tiny hole in a tooth begins when you have untreated tooth decay. Teeth usually start to decay when food is left on your teeth. A hole in a tooth also may be caused from other sources, including:

• An older filling falling out
• A cracked or broken tooth
• Bruxism or teeth grinding
• Disorders such as anorexia or bulimia

But the build-up of plaque is the most common reason you get cavities. A tiny hole in a tooth quickly becomes larger and more painful if it’s left untreated. Plaque develops when bacteria you missed when brushing and flossing stays on your teeth. It leaves a thin film that creates an acid, which then begins to eat through the top dental protective coating called enamel. When enamel weakens, bacteria attack and wear a hole in a tooth over time.

You’re at risk for getting a hole in a tooth as long as you keep your natural teeth. Additional factors that add to your risk of having cavities include:

• Sticky foods such as dried fruit, honey and taffy
• Drinks and foods high in sugar content
• Where the decaying tooth is located
• Giving your baby a bottle before bedtime
• Improper brushing
• Stomach acid reflux from heartburn
• Dry mouth
• Worn fillings
• Dental devices and dentures that don’t fit right
• Eating disorders

Long before your kids get their permanent teeth, tooth decay can begin. Since your Queens dental team is a family dentistry practice, you won’t have to find a different dentist. It’s recommended you start your kids with professional dental cleaning shortly after they get their first baby teeth. They’ll become used to going to the dentist and won’t develop the fear of dentists that haunts so many children.

Sealants help kids prevent tooth decay too. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, reports, “Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth or molars. The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and bacteria can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles can’t easily brush them away. Sealants cover these surfaces and form a barrier that protects teeth and prevents food and bacteria from getting trapped there. Since most cavities in children and adolescents develop in the molars, it’s best to get these teeth sealed as soon as they come in.”

No one likes getting a hole in a tooth. But at your Queens dental office, treatment for cavities usually is taken care of promptly with fillings. The severity of your pain, the extent of the tooth decay and the depth and size of the hole determines which treatment plan is best.

First, your dentist removes the decay from inside the affected tooth with the drill. After assessing the hole in a tooth further with x-rays, he then decides if a filling is sufficient or if you need the root removed with a root canal procedure, followed by a crown.

If you notice the hole in a tooth, you most likely already have a cavity that demands treatment. You may be having pain that drives you to seek help. By catching it early, your dentist at CitiDental can find the most cost-effective and the least painful plan to prevent further complications.

Even if you choose tooth-colored composites for your fillings, the costs are much less expensive than crowns and tooth replacements. At any rate, your Queens dentist makes sure you get the treatments your family needs with affordable dental treatment options. Call to find out more.