Signs You Might Have a Cavity

Cavities can develop gradually and sometimes without any noticeable symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. That said, a few common signs are worth paying attention to:

• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods that lingers after the food or drink is gone
• A visible dark spot or pit on the surface of a tooth
• Pain when chewing on a specific tooth
• A rough or jagged feeling when you run your tongue over a tooth
• Food consistently getting stuck in the same spot between teeth

Because early decay often doesn't cause any pain at all, many cavities are actually caught during a routine cleaning and exam, before a patient notices anything is wrong.

What Are Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings treat a cavity by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and replacing it with a durable, tooth-colored composite material. The filling restores the tooth's shape and function, sealing out bacteria and preventing the decay from spreading further.

What Happens During the Appointment

Getting a filling is typically a straightforward, single-visit procedure. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, the decayed tissue is carefully removed, and the tooth is cleaned and prepared before the composite material is applied in layers and hardened with a curing light. Once the filling is shaped and polished to match the natural contour of your tooth, your bite is checked to make sure everything feels comfortable before you leave.

What If the Decay Is More Extensive?

If a cavity has progressed too far for a standard filling to address effectively, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay instead, which offers more coverage while still preserving more natural tooth structure than a full crown. In cases where decay has reached the tooth's nerve, root canal therapy may be needed before the tooth can be restored.

Why Waiting Isn't a Good Idea

It's tempting to put off treatment when a cavity isn't causing pain, but untreated decay only gets larger over time, eventually requiring more extensive — and more expensive — treatment. What starts as a small, simple filling can progress into a situation requiring a root canal or crown if it's left unaddressed for too long.

Preventing Future Cavities

Good oral hygiene, a lower-sugar diet, and consistent cleanings and exams go a long way toward preventing new cavities from forming. For patients who are especially cavity-prone, dental sealants can also add an extra layer of protection on the teeth most likely to develop decay.

Financing Your Treatment

We accept 12+ major insurance plans and offer CareCredit, Cherry financing, and in-house payment plans. Visit our Insurance & Financing page to learn more.