Cavity Treatment in McDonough, Palmetto & Zebulon, GA

Cavities caused by tooth decay are one of the most common dental problems today, affecting 91% of adults between the ages of 20-64. Jordan Brunson, DDS, Kirsten Jordan, DMD, and the team at Palmetto Family Dental provide exceptional treatment for cavities at their clinics in Palmetto, Zebulon, and McDonough, Georgia. Schedule your cavity treatment with Palmetto Family Dental by calling the office nearest you or booking a visit online today.

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a small hole in your tooth, usually caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when plaque is left to sit on the surface of your teeth for too long, which usually happens as a result of poor oral hygiene or not having regular dental cleanings and exams. Plaque contains acids and bacteria that eat away at your tooth. The longer that plaque is left in contact with your tooth surface, the longer it has to eat away at your tooth material, eventually reaching the inside of your tooth and infecting your tooth pulp.

What increases my likelihood of getting a cavity?

Some of the risk factors that make you more likely to get a cavity include:

• Eating foods that cling to your teeth, like sugar, cookies, and hard candy
• Poor at-home oral hygiene
• Inadequate fluoride
• Your age
• Having a dry mouth

Certain teeth are also more prone to getting cavities, specifically your back teeth, which have more nooks and crannies in which plaque can develop.

How do I know if I have a cavity?

If you have a cavity, you might notice some of the following symptoms:

• Increased sensitivity in your tooth
• Spontaneous pain in your tooth
• Pain in your tooth when drinking or eating hot, cold, or sweet substances
• A visible hole or pit in your tooth
• White, black, or brown stains on your tooth surface

Not all cavities present noticeable symptoms, however, which is why it’s so important to maintain regular cleanings and checkups with the team at Palmetto Family Dental. Your cavity treatment is much easier and less invasive the sooner it’s done.

What cavity treatments do you offer?

The most common way to treat a cavity is with a dental filling. When you get a filling at Palmetto Family Dental, your provider uses a drill to remove all of the decayed material from your tooth, then fills the resulting hole with a special material that hardens and prevents the decay from recurring. The team at Palmetto Family Dental also offers preventive measures that can decrease your likelihood of developing a cavity, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Fluoride is an organic mineral that attracts other minerals that strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against harmful bacteria. Your provider can treat you with a fluoride rinse during your regular dental cleaning and exam. A dental sealant is a clear plastic coating that your dentist paints on the grinding surface of your tooth. The sealant hardens, creating a barrier between your tooth and the sugars and starches that cause tooth decay. Applying sealants to hard-to-reach back teeth can significantly reduce the risk of cavities in kids, teens, and adults. Dental sealants wear off over time, so they may need to be replaced periodically. To learn more about how Palmetto Family Dental can help protect your smile against cavities, schedule a visit today by calling the office nearest you or booking online.