Losing a front tooth could have an ultimate impact on your confidence. People often lose a tooth because of cavities, if a front tooth cavity takes place, the appearance of the face changes as well. Cavities in the front teeth are a rare occurrence, making its treatment a little bit more complicated than others. But fret not because a dentist concludes that with the help of composite fillings, treating a tooth cavity is achievable.
Causes Of Front Tooth Cavity
The causes of cavities in the front tooth are just the same as others. But because of its effect on aesthetics and health, dentists give extra special care for them. Here are the common causes of front tooth cavity that leads to tooth decay:
- foods and drinks that are high in sugar
- uncleaned food particles stuck between teeth
- poor oral care
- acid reflux
- lack of fluoride
- age concerns, children tend to develop cavities due to lifestyle, adults, however, are at risk because the enamel wears down through age
- weakened dental composite fillings
- eating disorders
Front teeth cavity is more common in children, however, tooth problems like this could occur to people of all ages.
Children, specifically babies, and toddlers could develop front tooth cavity due to the following reasons:
- Falling asleep with a feeding bottle in the mouth, it’s also riskier if the bottle is still filled with milk, juice, or anything sweet.
- Excessive consumption of sweet sugary drinks and foods every day.
- Sharing utensils and cups with parents.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of cavities could vary depending on their location in the mouth. You will also have to consider the extent and severity of the cavity. In line with this, listed below are the common symptoms of tooth cavity:
toothache that occurs chronically- tooth sensitivity
- mild to harsh pain when eating or drinking
- brown stains
- white stains at the tooth’ surface
- pain when biting
toothache that occurs chronicallyIf you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, it’s time to give your dentist’s office a call.
Complications
A neglected front tooth cavity could lead to many serious complications that could affect your overall health, including your mental health. According to specialists, it’s important to take the symptoms seriously to prevent the following complications due to cavity:
- Unbearable pain
- Tooth abscess
- Swelling or having pus around the tooth
- Problems in chewing and biting
- Damaged tooth
- Misalignment of the healthy teeth
Preventing the tooth cavity from taking place is the best way to avoid these complications. However, if cavities persist, dentists have conventional methods to treat them.
Diagnosis
Prior to the treatment, your dentist will perform diagnostic procedures and examinations to check the condition of your overall dental health. The diagnosis will take place with your doctor asking bout the following matters:
- asking about the extent of the pain
- asking about the symptoms, how you feel, and how uncomfortable are you
- physical exam and dental check
- dental x-rays
With the help of the information above, your dentist will be able to determine if which kind of cavity you have in your front tooth (smooth surface, pit and fissure, and root).
The diagnosis will be followed by the applicable treatment. Most probably, the dentist will lay out several options for you. How you choose will depend on the coverage of your insurance and your willingness to undergo invasive procedures. Root canals and composite fillings are some of the common treatments recommended by dental professionals.
Treatments For Front Tooth Cavity
Below are the common treatment options for cavity not only for the front tooth but for different locations as well:
Composite fillings
Composite fillings are the most ideal solution to cavities. This restorative option is commonly suggested by dentists for treating cavities in the front teeth. It is also one of the most viable options if the decay has spread out already. There are different materials used for composite fillings, oftentimes, it is made of porcelain, tooth-colored composite resin, or dental amalgam.
Dental crowns
Crowns are ideal if the cavity has turned into decay which causes the teeth to deteriorate. Dental crowns are commonly made of metal, tooth-colored resin, porcelain, or porcelain combined with metals. This is a treatment that aims to cover the entire teeth to conceal the damages caused by the cavity.
Fluoride treatments
Fluoride is a natural element that is essential in keeping the teeth strong. If the cause of your cavity is due to lack of fluoride, your dentist might recommend this option to you first. Yet, if the cavity stays persistent, other treatment options will be given to you.
Root canals
Sometimes, the tooth cavity in the front tooth becomes severe and causes tooth decay to reach the deeper materials of the tooth. For cases like these, a root canal is the best treatment option. The idea is to clean, repair, and attempt to save the damaged tooth as much as possible. If the treatment is a success, a filling will be applied in replacement of the removed pulp.
Tooth extraction
Sadly, there are times when the infected tooth can longer be saved. Riverlands Dental team admit that extractions are not a choice that dentists make without serious consideration. When this happens, your doctor’s main priority will be the healthy teeth around the affected area. To save them from getting infected and decaying, tooth extraction will follow. This is a preventative method to keep healthy teeth in prime condition. After the extraction, you will be given different restorative options such as dentures, implants, and bridges.
