Tooth Decay Can be Prevented
Keeping your teeth in the best condition possible is important. This can help assure that you will have them for many years. If you choose to ignore regular dental examinations and issues, severe problems could start to form. A degenerative condition resulting in enamel breakdown of the tooth is called tooth decay. Tooth decay can be prevented easily with using good oral health habits. Tooth decay can be typically caused by what we eat. Many of the foods that we eat include starches and sugars. If these are left in the mouth, plaque forms on teeth combining with bacteria, and produces acids damaging to the enamel and causes tooth decay. To promote the best oral hygiene and the avoidance of tooth decay it is essential to maintain proper nutrition and a healthy diet. Drinks and food high in starches and sugars are prone to forming acids that attack the enamel that results in decay. Limiting these drinks and foods that have high sugar content and carbonation will help in the prevention of tooth decay and improves oral hygiene.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Dental patient getting an x-ray completed as part of their general teeth cleaning.
There are some things you can do to help prevent tooth decay. This includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing once. This can help to clean the surface of your teeth, as well as remove any food particles that may be between the teeth. You should also make sure to go to dental examinations based on the recommended schedule. If you notice an issue with the teeth or gums, make sure to schedule and appointment. This can help prevent a further issue from forming with your teeth. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth and is susceptible to acids breaking down enamel that increases the chance for tooth decay, but tooth decay can be prevented.
Tooth Decay Treatment
Of course, the treatment depends on how far the tooth decay has progressed. Tooth decay can be prevented by flossing and brushing with fluoride toothpaste. You could also receive treatments of fluoride while at a dental visit. This can help prevent cavities from forming. Tooth destruction that is associated with decay leads to development of holes, commonly known as cavities. Tooth decay does not have symptoms until a cavity forms, then the symptom is a toothache. If a cavity forms you will need a filling. If severely decayed and badly damaged you will need a crown, sometimes called a cap, and is a replacement for part or the entire tooth. Sometimes a crown is used to cover a broken or badly decayed tooth when the fillings will not work.
Root Canal Procedures
If the pulp of the tooth gets infected you might require a root canal. This includes removing the pulp that is diseased. In case the root is severely damaged on the tooth, you may need to have an extraction performed. If you have an extraction then it may need to have an implant or bridge put in. If tooth decay is not treated, cavities can get so bad that you lose your teeth. Waiting too long to schedule an appointment with us will result in a costly bill, so it is important to visit us when recommended.