What Happens If You Don’t Have a Cavity Treated?

Have you been told you have a cavity? Or do you have symptoms that make you think you have one? Our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, at Mandarin Dentistry can provide treatment for this common tooth problem. But what happens if you delay having it treated — or don’t have it treated at all?

Infections

You can end up with an infection deep inside your tooth when a cavity is left untreated. Cavities are holes in your teeth that happen when you have tooth decay. Without treatment, they can cause bacteria to invade your tooth — potentially entering your bloodstream and causing a serious infection.

Abscesses

These can develop when you have an infection under your gums or inside a tooth. An abscess may appear as a pimple or bump on your gums. You might also have other signs, like a fever, swelling, and throbbing pain with this kind of infection. Abscesses may rupture, causing bacteria to spread.

Tooth Loss

When you don’t have any treatments done for cavities, you may end up losing teeth. Tooth decay that becomes severe enough may result in the need for an extraction rather than a root canal or other treatment. You’ll then need to explore options for replacing any teeth that are pulled.

When to Seek Help for a Cavity

If you know you have one, it’s time to set up treatment. But if you’re unsure, schedule an appointment with our dentist for an exam.

Schedule Treatment for Cavities Today!

Do you need a filling or other care for tooth decay? Our dental team at Mandarin Dentistry offers cavity treatment in Jacksonville, FL, to stop decay in its tracks and prevent it from getting worse.

What Are Signs You Might Have a Tooth Abscess That Needs Immediate Care?

Have you been dealing with tooth pain and swelling? These are possible signs of a dental emergency called a tooth abscess. At Mandarin Dentistry, our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, offers prompt treatment for this type of tooth problem. Let’s go over some signs of abscesses to help you determine if you need urgent dental care.

Tooth Pain

Abscesses can cause pain that feels throbbing or sharp. It might flare up when you chew or bite food, or it can be an ongoing pain that doesn’t ease up. This soreness might also affect nearby areas, like your neck or jaw.

Increased Temperature Sensitivity

Does a tooth hurt more when you eat or drink anything cold or hot? This higher sensitivity to temperature is also a sign that you might have a tooth abscess.

Greater Pressure Sensitivity

Being more sensitive to pressure may mean that you have an abscess that needs immediate attention.

Bad Taste

Abscesses can rupture, breaking open and causing you to have a sudden, salty taste in your mouth. You might also have immediate pain relief — but you still need treatment.

Foul Breath

Having a tooth abscess can make your breath smell bad until you have it treated.

Swelling

You might have swollen gums in the affected area. Your jaw and face in that area might also swell up when you have an abscess.

Fever

Tooth abscesses can cause you to run a fever due to the infection.

Visit Our Dentist for Emergency Care!

Do you have signs of a tooth abscess? Don’t wait to get help for this urgent tooth problem! Our dentist at Mandarin Dentistry offers emergency dental care in Jacksonville, FL, for abscesses and other dental issues that need immediate treatment.

How Should You Take Care of Your Newly Whitened Teeth for Lasting Results?

Planning to have in-office teeth whitening done? While our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, at Mandarin Dentistry offers effective results, it’s up to you to keep your teeth looking bright and beautiful. Here’s what you can do to maintain whitening results after professional treatment.

Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages

We recommend not eating or drinking anything that can stain your teeth for a couple of days or more following treatment. Some of these include:

  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Red wine
  • Berries
  • Artificial coloring in foods

Give Up Smoking

Your whitening results aren’t going to last very long if you keep smoking. Cigarettes easily stain teeth, including those that have undergone professional whitening.

Use a Straw

You may not need to completely avoid beverages that stain teeth. We do strongly recommend avoiding these for the first 48 hours or so after whitening. But after that, you may want to use a straw rather than sipping or drinking directly from glasses or mugs. This helps reduce your teeth’s exposure to staining elements.

Schedule Regular Cleanings

These routine visits are a great way to make sure your teeth stay white for as long as possible. They involve thorough cleanings that remove debris and plaque from tooth surfaces.

Consider Touch-ups

Even with all of these tips, your whitening results may not last forever. But you can ask our dentist about coming in for touch-ups as needed to keep your teeth looking bright on an ongoing basis.

Set Up an Appointment for Teeth Whitening!

Are you ready for brighter teeth and an impressive smile? At Mandarin Dentistry, our dentist offers professional teeth whitening in Jacksonville, FL, using an effective whitening agent to eliminate stains and discoloration.

What Kinds of Tooth Flaws Can Veneers Help With?

Is there something about your teeth that makes you want to hide your smile? Any flaws that are visible when smiling or talking can take a toll on your self-esteem. But our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, at Mandarin Dentistry has a solution for that — dental veneers. These shells go on your teeth, hiding imperfections and allowing you to smile with confidence! Let’s explore some of the flaws that veneers are suitable for.

Severe or Stubborn Stains

Have you tried teeth whitening without any success? Veneers can cover up discolored or stained teeth, giving you a brighter, flawless smile.

Chipped Teeth

Do you have front teeth with chipped corners or edges? Placing veneers on them makes them appear whole again, improving your smile.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Are any of your front teeth fractured or cracked? If you have minor damage, veneers can conceal these flaws. You may need to explore other options if damage is more severe or deeper.

Gaps Between Teeth

Is there noticeable space between your front teeth? If it makes you feel self-conscious, veneers can be designed to cover up this gap for a seamless smile.

Small Tooth Sizes

Do you have a tooth that looks much smaller than the rest? Veneers can make this tooth look bigger, helping it blend in with the surrounding teeth.

Misshapen Teeth

Is a front tooth the wrong shape? Veneers can give the affected tooth a more even appearance that matches your other teeth.

Schedule a Consultation for Dental Veneers!

Do you have flaws you want to hide for a more confident smile? Our dentist at Mandarin Dentistry can help! We offer veneers in Jacksonville, FL, to conceal chips and other imperfections, resulting in a beautiful smile!