You might think cavities in the front tooth are rare and only those with filthy oral habits only get them but you may be wrong. Cavities and tooth decay aren’t bound to premolars and molars in the back of your teeth. When front teeth cavities occur, we often mistake it as something temporary or just teeth sensitivity and do not give much attention.
Because teeth are exposed to many foods and drinks on a daily basis, keeping them healthy is unavoidable. Your teeth are subjected to a lot of wear and tear from things like food, drinks, saliva, and bacteria. Although your teeth are designed to withstand these substances, sometimes we might need to seek additional help.
How Are Cavities Formed?
A cavity is tooth decay destroying the enamel of the tooth often caused by food caught in teeth, especially sugary foods and drinks and other causes. Oral care is crucial to all no matter what their age is. Even though brushing and flossing is key, it’s also important to focus on how you do it.
Cavities mainly occur in our premolars and molars but getting them in your front teeth is also not uncommon. They occur mainly due to poor oral hygiene and sugary drinks and foods or they may be genetic or dry mouth, often caused due to medications; therefore, front tooth cavities are common among these people.
What Causes Front Tooth Cavity?
Forgetting to brush our teeth remains the main reason for cavities before anything else. The front tooth, however, isn’t an outlier when it comes to cavities. It could occur in babies and adults aged 18-64.
In babies, front tooth cavities mainly occur due to what is called a ‘baby bottle tooth decay’ which is when babies bite onto their feeding bottles for longer periods of time. In adults, sometimes skipping flossing and having sugary food and drinks are the main factors. Other factors can also be due to genetic reasons and plaque build-up; if plaque isn’t removed through brushing or regular dental cleanings, it can harden and lead to gum diseases and cavities.
Symptoms Of Front Tooth Cavity
The initial symptoms of front tooth cavities need not necessarily be pain. You might feel sensitivity when you drink hot or cold drinks or when you eat sugary food. Discoloration or staining on the surface of your teeth and tender or swollen gums are another symptom of a tooth cavity.
Bad breath no matter how much you clean your teeth or brush and rough texture on teeth when you rub through your teeth with your tongue is another sign of tooth decay. Biting into a piece of food and experiencing pain is also regarded as an indication of the same.
Treating Front Tooth Cavity
Exploring treatment options is essential when it comes to treating cavities in the front teeth. Dental fillings, crowns, extraction and replacement, and root canal therapy are the go-to treatments we approach but now, veneers and laser dentistry are introduced which give a more satisfactory result.
Laser dentistry is a dental technique that shapes or removes an oral tissue using a laser’s focused light beam. Dental bonding is another treatment available for front tooth cavities wherein dentists use tooth-colored resin to repair and improve teeth.
Preventing Front tooth Cavity
The easiest way to prevent a front tooth cavity is to maintain proper and scheduled oral hygiene. Using fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities and flossing after a heavy meal goes a long way.
Limiting sugary and acidic foods should suffice to an extent although, routine dental check-ups and fluoride treatments done professionally can help strengthen the enamel of the tooth. Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing to reduce plaque and chewing sugar-free chewing gum are two effective and easy ways to deal with cavities.
Conclusion
You can reduce the risk of front tooth decay by proper oral hygiene and maintenance which can significantly reduce the chances of getting another tooth decay. Early detection of tooth decay by frequent dental check-ups also helps save your smile. Be mindful of what you eat and drink and remember a little step goes a long way.
Regardless of the tooth the treatment is done for, the majority of these fillings’ advantages and disadvantages are the same. However, pay regard to the fact that because your front teeth are used so frequently, you should select a filling that is strong and long-lasting.
FAQS
Tooth cavities in the front can be filled by the help of veneers or crowns. Crowns are a tooth-shaped repair that covers the decayed tooth. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded on the front of the teeth. These can be made to match the color of our natural tooth.
Cavities are mainly formed in the back of the teeth like premolars and molars. They usually start in the hard surfaces of the teeth which if left unattended, become tiny holes or openings which can cause severe toothache and even tooth loss.
The cavity in the front tooth could be hidden by a composite filling or composite bonding if consulted professionally. Temporary fillings may be provided for the time being if the ache cannot be attended immediately.
Yes, we can save a front tooth with a cavity with the help of fillings made of porcelain or resin which is made to match the color of our teeth. A dentist can help find the best treatment option according to your situation.
A front tooth cavity usually looks like a brown or white spot that doesn’t go away with brushing or picking on it.
