Tooth decay is not always easy to see with the naked eye and is often overlooked by patients.
Even with regular brushing and flossing, we can still cause a lot of damage to our teeth from sugary foods. This is because the sugar blends with bacteria in the mouth and creates plaque that sticks to your teeth.
To remove all of the plaque, you need special dental instruments and dental experience. Getting a professional dental opinion can save you time, money, and pain.
If left untreated the plaque carves away at your teeth causing infections, tooth decay, and cavities. If you have a toothache this could be caused by tooth decay.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
It is necessary to have your teeth checked by a dentist to know if you have tooth decay and how to treat it. Catching tooth decay early on is crucial to preserving your tooth, so here are some of the symptoms of tooth decay:
- Tooth pain.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
- Foul-smelling breath.
- Sensitivity to cold or hot.
- Spots of discoloration on a tooth.
If you have any of these symptoms, meet with your dentist. Dental offices will give you a diagnosis and provide you with a dental plan to help with these symptoms, so you can live a happy and healthy life.
Why Should You Treat Tooth Decay?
Other than the uncomfortable symptoms listed above, tooth decay can have very serious negative consequences for your overall health. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to the following:
- Heart disease.
- Brain infections.
- Heart infections.
- Chronic tooth loss.
- Weakened immune system.
For early detection to avoid unnecessary pain, you should schedule a dental appointment with a professional dental team to keep your oral and physical health protected.
How to Combat Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay can be treated fairly easily if caught early on. But if it progresses, tooth decay may require root canal therapy or tooth extraction.
If you do not want to worry about tooth decay, you should be taking good care of your teeth. Good oral care involves going to the dentist regularly and practicing proper dental hygiene. Here are some of the ways to prevent tooth decay:
- Fluoride. This treatment is most effective at a dental office but you can use fluoride toothpaste as well. This works to strengthen your teeth from bacteria so it is harder for bacteria to get inside your teeth.
- Mouthwash. This works to rid your teeth of any food debris or bacteria lingering on your teeth after brushing and flossing.
- Regular Dental Visits. For proper dental care, you should visit your dental office every 6 months or more if necessary so they can rid your mouth of plaque buildup.
- Proper Dental Cleaning. Make brushing and flossing daily a priority. Make sure you brush every tooth gently but thoroughly.
What To Do If You Have Tooth Decay Symptoms
Our dental office has plenty of restorative treatment options for you to get back your oral health and carefree life:
- Filings: Fillings are needed when bacteria has created cavities in your teeth, causing damage and pain. This treatment is minimal and fills in the hole created by bacteria.
- Sealants: Sealants are a step before fillings because they are used to prevent a cavity from growing.
- Implants: Implants are only necessary when tooth decay has gotten to the point that the tooth needs to be removed. The implant will “replace” the tooth by creating a root for a crown to be placed on top.
- Crowns: Whether it is after a root canal, an implant, or a period of decay, you can place a crown on a damaged tooth to restore your smile and bite.
Though there are options to restore decayed teeth, the best way to keep your smile healthy is to avoid damaged teeth in the first place. You can do that by taking care of your smile and seeing a dentist regularly.
Schedule an Appointment To Protect Your Oral Health!
Vibrant Dental believes in early detection to protect you and your family’s oral and physical health. Call us today for exceptional service that could save your tooth!