Dental complaint · Rotterdam West

Cavities? Recognise and prevent them in time

A cavity starts small and without pain. That is exactly why being on time matters: then it is a small filling instead of a big treatment. Learn how caries develops, how you prevent it and how Tandarts West, your dentist in Rotterdam West, fills a cavity neatly.

No waiting list · new patients usually seen within 1 week
Make an appointment 010 846 6539
KNMT registered Invisible white fillings 4.7 · 169 reviews
Dentist at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West checks the teeth for cavities and discusses the treatment. Invisible white fillings, new patients welcome.
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Yearly check-up detects cavities early
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Eating moments better than six
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Google reviews · 4.7★
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Under 18 covered by basic insurance

How does a cavity develop?

Every day plaque forms on your teeth, a thin layer of bacteria. Those bacteria turn sugars and starch from your food into acids. Those acids slowly dissolve minerals from the enamel. If that happens often, a weak spot and eventually a cavity (caries) develops. It starts in the enamel, without symptoms, and grows into the dentine if you do nothing about it.

The more often you eat or drink sugar, the more often your teeth are under acid. Hard-to-reach spots between the molars, a dry mouth, insufficient brushing and too little fluoride also increase the chance of cavities. In children it often goes faster, because milk teeth have thinner enamel.

The good news: caries is largely preventable, and caught in time a cavity is a small white filling. At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West we detect cavities early during the six-month check-up. Read also why prevention is better than cure.

Signs

How to recognise a cavity

A cavity sneaks in. Watch for these signs, but rely on the check-up to be sure.

Often no symptoms

An early cavity in the enamel does not hurt and you cannot see it yourself. That is why we find most cavities during a check-up, sometimes with an X-ray.

Sensitivity

If the cavity goes deeper, the tooth becomes sensitive to sweet, cold or hot. A sign not to wait any longer.

Pain or discolouration

A visible hole, dark discolouration or toothache points to a more advanced cavity that needs treatment soon.

Prevention is better than cure

How to prevent cavities

Four habits keep caries largely at bay.

1

Brush with fluoride

Twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste strengthens the enamel and slows cavities.

2

Clean between teeth

Floss or interdental brushes remove plaque between the molars, where most cavities begin.

3

Limit sugar

Fewer sugar moments means fewer acid attacks. Three eating moments is much better than six.

4

Six-month check-up

This is how we detect a cavity while it is still small, so it stays a small filling.

Do you suspect a cavity, or have you become sensitive to sweet or cold? Do not wait too long, because being on time saves you a bigger treatment. This information is general guidance and does not replace personal advice from your dentist.

At Tandarts West

How we fill a cavity

Comfortable, with an invisible white filling that matches your tooth colour.

1

Examination

We assess the cavity, with an X-ray if needed, and discuss the treatment with you.

2

Comfortable

If needed we anaesthetise the tooth, so you feel nothing. A small cavity is often possible without anaesthesia.

3

White filling

We remove the affected part and restore the tooth with composite in your own tooth colour.

4

Advice

We explain how to prevent new cavities, because prevention is better than cure.

Cost

What does filling a cavity cost?

The NZa sets the rates. The cost depends on the size of the cavity and the number of surfaces.

Check-up and diagnosis

NZa rate
Consultation + possibly an X-ray
  • Detect a cavity, also between molars
  • Advice on prevention
  • Under 18 covered by basic insurance
Plan a check-up

White filling

NZa rate
Depends on size and surfaces
  • Invisible, in your own tooth colour
  • Estimate in advance for larger treatment
  • Payment in instalments possible via Infomedics
About white fillings

Patients under 18: check-up and fillings covered by basic insurance. For adults via supplementary dental insurance. Questions about cost?

Frequently asked questions

Cavities · frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have a cavity?
An early cavity often gives no symptoms and you cannot see it yourself. Later signs are sensitivity to sweet, cold or hot, a visible hole or dark discolouration, and sometimes pain. To be sure you need a check-up and sometimes an X-ray.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
A very early cavity in the enamel can sometimes be stopped with fluoride and good oral hygiene. Once a cavity breaks through the enamel, it no longer heals on its own and a filling is needed.
How do I prevent cavities?
Brush twice a day with fluoride, clean between your teeth daily and limit sugar and snacking. Have a check-up twice a year, so we detect a cavity while it is still small.
Does filling a cavity hurt?
Usually not. If needed we anaesthetise the tooth, so you do not feel the treatment. A small cavity in the enamel is often painless even without anaesthesia.
What does filling a cavity cost?
For a filling the national NZa rate applies, which depends on the size and the number of surfaces. Up to 18 covered by basic insurance, adults via supplementary dental insurance.
Do children get cavities faster?
Children are more prone to cavities because milk teeth have thinner enamel and there is more snacking. Good brushing habits, fluoride and six-monthly check-ups at the children's dentist help. Up to 18 the care is fully covered.

On time with a cavity?

Plan a check-up and we detect cavities while they are still small. Register as a new patient, usually without a waiting list.

Register Call 010 846 6539
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Six-month check-up

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Prevention is better than cure

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