“Can I wait a month to fill a cavity?”
I am a 23 year old female. I wonder if I can wait a month to fill a cavity?
9 Answers
Dr. Barry Cunha
Dentist
The simple answer is no. A cavity will only get worse and the longer you wait the greater chance that more serious complications may arise resulting possibly in the need for a root canal or extraction. Having said that only your dentist can make that decision. Some small cavities can be scheduled out a month with no long term effects
That depends, on how close the decay is to the nerve of the tooth. Usually a month is not going to make a big difference but you should get the tooth restored as soon as possible.
Most of the time, no problem. Depends on the severity.
Thank you for your question.
There will always be a reason for delay. One month can become one year and more. If you literally mean one month, then the answer is—yes.
The problem is the cavity never stops growing until it is treated. The bigger the cavity, the smaller and weaker the remaining tooth will be. Let’s look at the life time picture for a cavity with a larger filling. Things wear out and need replacement. A larger filling now means an even larger filling when it wears out. Then a crown, then a root canal, then an extraction and implant.
The smaller the first filling, the less chance the above chain of events will occur.
Of course never having a cavity, means no filling and no chain of events ever. That is the best.
If you want NO NEW CAVITIES, study the book “GROWING A HEALTHY CHILD, SECRETS FROM A WISE OLD DOC”. It has the best information available about how to have zero new cavities and therefore zero new fillings!!
I wish you the best on your journey.
There will always be a reason for delay. One month can become one year and more. If you literally mean one month, then the answer is—yes.
The problem is the cavity never stops growing until it is treated. The bigger the cavity, the smaller and weaker the remaining tooth will be. Let’s look at the life time picture for a cavity with a larger filling. Things wear out and need replacement. A larger filling now means an even larger filling when it wears out. Then a crown, then a root canal, then an extraction and implant.
The smaller the first filling, the less chance the above chain of events will occur.
Of course never having a cavity, means no filling and no chain of events ever. That is the best.
If you want NO NEW CAVITIES, study the book “GROWING A HEALTHY CHILD, SECRETS FROM A WISE OLD DOC”. It has the best information available about how to have zero new cavities and therefore zero new fillings!!
I wish you the best on your journey.
It depends how deep the cavity is and how close to the nerve it is and if you have pain or not. If it is a small cavity, Yes
Usually, yes. Please take the advice of your dentist, though. Some cavities have already waited months before being diagnosed. Ask the advice from the dentist who diagnosed it, or is going to do the filling.
If it is a small cavity and not bothering you, yes. If you are getting food trapped in it, I would try to get it filled sooner
If you have a small cavity, waiting one month should be no problem. With a larger cavity, you may develop pain if you wait too long.
It depends on how deep the cavity is to start. Very deep, no, don't wait; shallow can wait.
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
