If you’re not wearing your smile proudly, you may have a cavity on front tooth. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, the most common location of dental cavities among adults ages 35 to 44 is on the front teeth — and it’s more likely to affect women than men! But good news! Cavities on front teeth can usually be fixed with composite fillings, veneers or crowns. Read on to learn more about these options for fixing a cavity on your front tooth.
The myth that only back teeth get cavities
Over two-thirds of Americans get at least one cavity every year. And, according to some studies, more than half of all people in North America will have lost all their teeth by age 35. While it’s tempting to think that only back teeth can develop cavities (because they aren’t exposed to as much as mouth acid), that simply isn’t true. The reality is that decay occurs when bacteria mixes with food particles, toothpaste and saliva. Although front teeth don’t experience as much exposure as back molars do, all surfaces of teeth are susceptible to forming cavities. If you want to prevent any cavity from developing, brush twice daily and floss once daily. If you already have a cavity on your front tooth, schedule an appointment with our office right away so we can repair it.
How to tell if you have a front tooth cavity
When it comes to cavities, not all teeth are created equal. If you’re wondering whether or not you have a front tooth cavity, there are several ways to tell. Start by gently brushing and flossing around and between your teeth, especially those in close proximity to your front teeth. If there’s something stuck in between two of them that won’t come out with gentle brushing, chances are it’s an old piece of food or debris. But if that small something is actually larger than a small speck of dirt—it could be a cavity forming under one or more of your teeth! In either case, call our dentist office today and book an appointment.
What are the different treatments for this problem?
If you’re facing a cavity on your front tooth, there are several different ways to repair it. Some dentists will choose to use composites (plastic fillings) while others will prefer using gold (the metal). If price is no object and durability is important, then gold might be for you. However, if cost and biocompatibility are more of a concern, then composite could be better. You should also consider taking care of any underlying issues that may have caused your cavity before choosing treatment. For example, gum disease can cause problems throughout your mouth, so it’s important to treat it first before doing anything else with cavities or other dental problems. It’s also important to keep up with regular dental checkups in order to stop small problems from becoming big ones.
Is there any way to prevent a front tooth from getting a cavity in the future?
If you want to prevent cavities from forming on your teeth, you need to make sure that you’re brushing twice daily and flossing regularly. And if at all possible, avoid using sugar-containing drinks or food items; too much sugar can lead to a number of dental problems. If it’s an unavoidable part of your life, consider wearing a mouth guard that is specially designed for athletes in contact sports (like football).
How long does it take for treatment to start working?
In many cases, cavities are treated quickly—within two weeks. Your dentist will let you know how long treatment might take and whether or not there’s an urgency to begin treatment right away. The bottom line is that if you don’t want a cavity to get worse, start treatment right away! Fixing a cavity doesn’t mean losing teeth. And it certainly doesn’t mean removing healthy teeth. Just make sure to see your dentist regularly so any cavities can be treated as soon as possible. Most often, these treatments involve removing dental plaque, decay and bacteria using special tools like silver diamine fluoride (SDF). If necessary, fillings or crowns may be required—and in some cases root canal therapy may even be recommended.
What should I do if I want to treat my front tooth now, but can’t afford it at this time?
If you’re in immediate need of and cookies, which can cause cavities as quickly as they can be repaired. You should also brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth strong while they’re under attack from decay-causing bacteria. Also make sure to see a dentist regularly so that they can identify any small areas of decay early on—the key is getting cavities fixed before they become problems too big for do-it-yourself kits.
