The thought of visiting the dentist to fill a cavity leaves many people with anxiety. Dr. Jacob Wallach and the staff of Nyack Smiles understand the fear many people associate with the dentist and have created a warm and relaxing environment in their downtown Nyack office. He has experience treating tooth cavities in both children and adults.
Tooth Cavities
What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Tooth cavities, called dental caries by dentists, are tooth decay. Most tooth cavities are caused by plaque buildup. When plaque comes in contact with sugar and starch, it activates bacteria in plaque, causing it to attack and erode tooth enamel. As the tooth enamel breaks down and wears away, it leaves the tooth susceptible to the formation of dental cavities.
Tooth Cavity Symptoms
Dr. Wallach can usually identify cavities before you experience symptoms, so it is important to maintain regular dental check-ups. We use Diagnodent, an advanced laser cavity detection tool that can detect even the smallest amount of tooth decay. This allows us to intercept problems quickly and treat them more conservatively.
There are usually no symptoms associated with a tooth cavity until the advanced stages. Many patients will report a toothache, tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, sore gums or holes in the teeth.
Treatment For Tooth Cavities
If you do have a tooth cavity or if your teeth are showing signs of decay, Dr. Wallach may provide a number of general dentistry treatments to provide stability and protection to affected teeth. Tooth colored dental fillings are usually the first line of treatment when treating teeth with mild to moderate tooth decay.
Other treatment options may include inlays, onlays and dental crowns. For patients with advanced symptoms of tooth decay, a root canal may be required to bring the tooth to proper health.
Tooth Decay in Children
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America. Half of all first-graders and more than 80% of 17-year-olds have tooth cavities. Pediatric dentistry is extremely important to help children and adolescents establish a healthy and regular oral hygiene routine. As a family dentist, Dr. Wallach provides comprehensive treatment for children to prevent and treat tooth cavities.
