Tooth decay is one of the common symptoms of a dental emergency that stems from certain factors. Although it can be easily preventable simply by making your oral routine a priority, when it progressively gets worse, tooth decay treatment at the dentist would become a priority.
Tooth decay doesn’t just impact adults but children as well. It is the process where your teeth have progressively become damaged through dental plaque turning sugars into acid. When dental plaque builds up, it causes dental caries (cavities) which are tiny openings in the tooth root which can lead to further infection and gum disease.
Tooth Decay Is Caused By Bacteria
Your mouth naturally accumulates bacteria every day, but there are good and harmful bacteria all the same. When the occurring bacteria combine with the foods you eat, it can cause a sticky pale substance to form called dental plaque, which coats around the tooth surface.
The bacteria forms from food debris that remains inside the mouth after eating, mainly comprising sugars and starch. The sugar combines with bacteria to form acid to attack your teeth, and this is what causes dental caries. If your mouth isn’t kept clean, that’s where bacteria begin to accumulate in and around your teeth.
Tooth Decay Can Damage Your Enamel
Tooth decay impacts all three layers of your teeth. Firstly, the enamel, which is the harder outer layer that protects your smile from infection and bacteria. However, when the enamel is exposed, the underlying dentin, which is the middle layer, will begin to produce a yellow colour in your smile. As the decay begins to progress, the underlying pulp which contains the tooth nerves and vessels in the tooth root will become damaged, exposing you to dental abscesses and, naturally, a “dead” tooth that will need extraction.
Getting Tooth Decay Treatment
Tooth decay treatment can be performed early or at its latter stage when the decay becomes severe.
During early tooth decay treatment, it is likely that a cavity has formed, and would require an X-ray at the dentist to detect how far the cavity has reached into the tooth enamel. If it’s only halfway, the dentist will apply a concentrated fluoride gel to reduce the amount of decay that could form.
A tooth filling would be required if the cavity has gone deeper to prevent further damage.
There may be cases where the tooth decay becomes severe, so much where the tooth decay treatment requires to save the tooth from extraction. This is where root canal therapy would be considered. This involves removing the pulp and cleaning the tooth and applying a dental crown on top of it.
Tooth extraction would be necessary if the tooth is considered “dead”.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cavity And Tooth Decay?
The symptoms of cavities occur once the cavity has gone beyond the front enamel surface and the dentin. You should expect the following symptoms:
- Tooth sensitivity when eating hot and cold beverages
- Difficulty chewing due to discomfort
- Brown or black spots appear between teeth
- Continuous throbbing pain unexpectedly
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
Here is a guide that you may like about removing cavity at home.
I Am Showing Tooth Decay Symptoms. What Do I Do?
If you feel you’re showing signs of tooth decay, it is important that you consult the dentist and get yourself checked out for tooth decay treatment. The dentist will be able to pinpoint where the issue lies and how far the decay has progressed. Doing so will allow the dentist to recommend appropriate treatments to save your tooth.
Consult your dentist today to restore the health of your tooth. And, if you are residing near Chatswood and nearby suburbs you can consult with our professional Dentist Chatswood dental team.