Advances in dental technology and treatment options today have made it so much easier for us to keep your teeth and oral health in great condition. However, that doesn’t mean that tooth decay isn’t a common occurrence among patients.
Preventing tooth decay is one of the most important things we as a dental practice can do, which is why we take pride in our prevention treatments.
What Is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is permanently damaged areas of a tooth or multiple teeth that develop into holes on the tooth’s surface.
It is actually fairly common to not experience any severe or painful side effects of tooth decay. This is what can make decay so dangerous; it can occur and spread quickly before you’re even aware of it. But there are some noticeable symptoms, including:
- Toothache: Toothache manifests as discomfort or sensitivity to extreme hot or cold temperatures. It can increase as the infection continues and spreads.
- Tooth Loss: If tooth decay isn’t treated, the tooth could eventually fall out. If gum disease in particular is allowed to spread, you could experience high levels of tooth loss.
How Does Tooth Decay Occur?
Tooth decay most often happens as a result of untreated cavities. This decay forms as damaged areas on the dental crown that develop into tiny holes. Those holes allow bacteria down into the sensitive areas of the tooth.
The bacteria can then eat through the dentin layer and down into the tooth pulp. Once that area is infected, there are serious repercussions. If not addressed quickly and effectively, the damaged area can spread and infect surrounding teeth.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Preventing tooth decay is one of our top priorities at Carroll Dentistry. One of the best ways to combat tooth decay is to prevent it from forming in the first place. We offer preventative treatments with our practice through regular dental cleanings and dental appointments where we carefully check your oral health.
Brushing and flossing regularly in the home, especially when paired with dental cleanings, can work very effectively toward preventing tooth decay.
Prevent Tooth Decay With Carroll Dentistry
Get in touch with Carroll Dentistry today to learn more about preventative dentistry and how we can preserve your oral health!