How are dental caries treated?

Prompt treatment of dental caries by your dentist is important in preventing further damage to your tooth or an infection. A simple dental examination can identify dental caries, and an X-ray may help your dentist to determine the extent of the caries.

Dental caries are typically painless, but a larger or deeper area of destruction in the tooth may be painful. If you have a toothache, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may make you more comfortable until the caries are treated by your dentist.

In addition to medications, dental work is necessary to fill the cavity. Your dentist will begin by numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. After your tooth is numb, your dentist will use a drill to clean out the area of decay and shape the surrounding tooth to allow it to be filled in smoothly with replacement materials. More severe caries may require more extensive dental work, including a root canal or tooth extraction.