If you notice a sensitive spot on your tooth and realize you have a cavity, you may wonder what action you should take to take care of it while you wait to see your dentist. While there is not much you can do past ensuring your continue your oral care routine, there are a few mistakes that you should avoid when you have a cavity.
Brushing Your Teeth Harder
Since a cavity is an opening in the enamel of your tooth, you may be worried that germs and food will get caught inside. As a result, you may find yourself brushing your teeth harder than you did in the past, thinking that it will help keep the area extra clean.
However, because the cavity exposes the interior of your tooth, applying more pressure could push the bristles into the hole and possibly irritate the pulp and nerves of the tooth. Instead, continue to brush with the same amount of pressure as you did before you knew about the cavity.
Or, if you have some discomfort, use less pressure. The bristles will still do their job of getting your tooth clean without grinding them into the surface. If you still believe you need to do more to clean your teeth, use an antiseptic mouthwash along with brushing.
Filling the Cavity with Dental Wax
When you discover the cavity in your tooth, you may be tempted to head to the pharmacy and pick up some dental wax so you can create a temporary filling. After all, that is what the wax is designed to do and can only serve to protect your tooth until you see the dentist.
However, creating a temporary filling with dental wax could make the situation worse. If bacteria or undetected food particles are stuck inside the cavity, covering the hole with the wax will only trap them inside where they could cause an infection.
Or, if small pockets of infection have already formed in the pulp of the tooth, the wax will only block their drainage. The pus from the infection would then build up and potentially spread through your tooth, gums, and the surrounding tissue.
Avoiding the above mistakes can help you keep your cavity from getting worse until you can have it checked out. However, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible so they can examine the cavity and recommend the ideal way to treat it.
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