It could be disheartening to hear that after all your attempts to stop tooth decay the dentist discovered a small cavity or more. It is easy to postpone seeing a dentist about tooth decay if you are not suffering any aches and pain. However, this could spell disaster. Tooth decay does not get better by itself, and over time what was a minor issue could worsen significantly.
Tooth Decay can go for long without detection. It often happens when plaque of bacteria develops on your teeth and combines with the sugar from your foods to make acids. These acids gradually soften and melt the hard enamel casing your teeth. If neglected, the decay will drill through every layer of your tooth.
Until the decay goes deep down from the enamel to the dentin, you will probably not feel any ache or sensitivity. The dentin contains small nerve endings that can be easily inflamed and cause sensitivity when you consume cold, hot, sticky, sweet, and sour foods. You may also feel pain when biting, and food debris will be trapped easily between your teeth.
The decay quickly spreads rapidly through dentin because it is not as hard as the enamel. Root decay will also follow and happen fast because the cementum layer on the root is soft. The longer you leave tooth untreated, the worse it becomes.
The ache from tooth decay can be severe and make your routine uncomfortable. Infection often sets in when the decay gets to the pulp section of your tooth.
After examination, if the dentist discovers a little portion of erosion on your enamel when the dentin is not affected, you may be advised on which approach to take to restore that area. Such recommendations may include the use of toothpaste, mouthwashes, or filling materials containing calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. This would help stall the development of decay or cavities.
Once the decay gets to the dentin, there’s no way to reverse it. The dentist will attempt to fix the cavity using tooth-colored resin substance or amalgam filling (made of silver and other metals). If the structure of the tooth has severely degraded, the dentist may suggest dental crowns. Crowns will strengthen, shape, and restore the normal functions of your teeth. However, they are more expensive than standard filling.
In more severe cases like an abscessed tooth, your treatment choices are limited. You can either choose a root canal treatment or tooth removal, although this is usually the final choice if there is no other method to repair the tooth. If you need a root canal, the dentist will cut out the affected pulp, clean, and cover the pulp chamber. Root canal treatment reduces the strength of your teeth.
It is evident that the longer you procrastinate on dental treatment, the more complicated and expensive the treatment becomes, and more pain too. You should visit the dentist immediately if you notice discomfort in your tooth. You can prevent tooth decay through excellent oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist help.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Rafael E. Cordero, DDS PA, request an appointment in our Palm Beach Gardens dental office here: https://corderoperiodontics.com. Or call us at (561) 763-9221.
People can often have a hard time figuring out when to seek emergency dental care. There are many reasons why this is so. For starters, going to an emergency dentist is often more expensive than scheduling an appointment during regular clinic hours. Also, many people have busy schedules which means finding time to take care…
When it comes to general dentists, most of us rarely give the job much thought. Sure, we know dentists clean teeth and go to school, but beyond that most of us do not have a clue. Here are a few interesting facts that will help you better understand and be more appreciative of all the…
A missing tooth can have consequences on oral health and self-confidence. The good news is that periodontists have several tooth replacement options to restore a patient’s smile, no matter where the lost tooth was located. Whether through surgical or nonsurgical tooth replacements, periodontists can effectively fill gaps in your smile, improve bite function and force,…
More and more people are turning to implant supported dentures for full and partial tooth replacement. This option's continued rise in popularity is due to its impressive success rate and other key benefits. If you are exploring your tooth replacement options, there are unique advantages to choosing implant supported dentures.As the name suggests, implant supported…
A periodontist may recommend bridges to replace one to four consecutive missing teeth.
Since implant supported dentures are a customizable and versatile tooth replacement option, almost anyone looking…
The periodontist typically takes bone from elsewhere in the mouth, but they can use hip…
Dental implants are useful for smile transformations because they closely mimic real teeth.
Periodontal disease may make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures because it exposes…
Most periodontists regularly perform oral surgeries like implant installation.