Do You Have a Dental Cavity?

How your dentists in Nashua, NH, can help your smile

You may have a dental cavity and not know it. Some dental cavities can go unnoticed until they become painful. More often, you will feel symptoms of a cavity. Fortunately, your dentist can help. Dr. Salvatore Guerriero and Dr. Salvatore Colletta at Nashua Smile Makers in Nashua, NH, can treat your dental cavity and help your smile.

So, how do you know if you have a cavity? You may notice signs and symptoms like these:

• Sudden sharp tooth pain when you bite down or chew
• Throbbing, aching tooth pain when you eat hot, cold, or sweet foods
• A toothache or tooth sensitivity that comes and goes
• Obvious cracks, chips, or holes in your teeth or fillings
• Dark stains on your teeth that don’t go away with brushing

Dental cavities are caused by tooth decay and tooth decay is caused by bacteria that produce toxins strong enough to eat through tooth enamel. The only true way to know if you have a cavity is to visit your dentist for an exam and x-ray screening.

If your dentist does determine that you have a cavity, there are several restorative options for you to consider, including a dental filling. Fillings are strong, cosmetically beautiful, and made of composite, a liquid resin material that can be matched to the color of your teeth and hardened with an ultraviolet light. The result is a hard, protective, aesthetically beautiful restoration.

If you have lost a substantial amount of tooth structure due to decay, you can also choose a dental crown. Porcelain crowns are popular because they are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are suitable for any area of your smile. If you need more strength, you can choose a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, known as a PFM crown. These are porcelain crowns with a metal underlay.

To learn more about dental cavities and restorative dental treatment options, call Dr. Salvatore Guerriero and Dr. Salvatore Colletta of Nashua Smile Makers in Nashua, NH, at 603-882-3727.