What Leads To Tooth Decay And How Can It Be Treated?

by Mickey A. Consultant

Tooth decay is a common and disturbing phenomenon today.

Children, who are still in the phase of developing teeth, are more likely to have tooth decay than adults. The reason behind this occurrence is that the minerals present in the new teeth are not very well-built and thus serve as an easy food for acids.

What’s more; babies can also be at risk for tooth decay. Parents who put babies to bed with a bottle can get ‘bottle mouth’- tooth decay that is generated by the sugar present in milk, formula, or juice. However, it is important to note that babies are not born with bacteria that cause tooth decay in their mouths. But they can contract bacteria from adults who share utensils such as spoons, forks etc.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Until and unless you have a cavity or an infected tooth, tooth decay, by and large, doesn't produce any prominent symptoms. However, if you are suffering from tooth decay, you may have:

· Toothache (the most common and obvious symptom),

· Swelled gums around the infected tooth (being a strong sign of severe tooth decay and/or abscessed tooth),

· Bad odor or a bad taste in the mouth,

· Discolored teeth or presence of black, white and gray spots.

Diagnosing Tooth Decay

While assessing your condition and diagnosing you with tooth decay, the dentist will:

· Inquire about your precedent dental and medical issues and care,

· Assess your teeth, using a pointed tool and a mirror,

· Obtain X-rays of your teeth and mouth to discover tooth decay that can't be seen with naked eye.

Treating Tooth Decay

The most excellent treatment for tooth decay depends on its severity. If you are lucky enough that your tooth decay is noticed early, prior to cavity formation, you can prevent it by brushing with fluoride toothpaste or receiving fluoride treatments from the dentist. That's another good reason to visit your dentist on a regularly.

However, if your case is severe, then the following treatments are viable:

Filling

If a cavity has formed in your teeth as a result of tooth decay, getting a filling is a wise option. Once the decay is removed, the dentist makes use of a material to fill the gap and reinstate the tooth back to its own shape.

Crown

Go for a crown if the decay is severe and your tooth is poorly damaged. This is basically an artificial substitution for fraction of a tooth.

Root Canal

If the pulp of your tooth has been affected, a root canal treatment can help remove the ailing pulp.

Extraction

Extraction is another alternative for people who have tooth with damaged roots. The dentist can restore the tooth with a bridge or an implant.

Suffering from tooth decay? Want to get it treated in the best possible manner at affordable rates? Bethesda’s opulent family dentistry clinic, Bethesda Dental Health is a viable choice proudly serving Chevy Case, Friendship Village and Somerset.