Do you know that almost 90% of people in the USA experience tooth decay at least once? If we discuss children, the data says that nearly 46% of kids aged 6-19 have untreated cavities.
These facts are scary.
If you are also a part of the mentioned data, you need treatment immediately.
Tooth decay is tooth loss due to an injury, a prolonged ignorance of dental health, or bacterial growth.
This blog will discuss everything about tooth decay and whether it can be cured.
Read on!
What is Tooth Decay?
Many people lack clarity about tooth decay. What it is and whether it can be treated.
Tooth decay doesn’t appear overnight. It is a gradual process.
First, the enamel starts to wear off. There are multiple reasons for this, e.g., not brushing teeth twice daily, consuming acidic and sweet beverages and foods, using abrasive toothpaste, etc.
As the enamel wears off, bacteria attack, creating a hole or invisible cavities.
If untreated, decay reaches the pulp, leading to infections or abscesses.
In case of severe decay, tooth extraction is the only option.
Thus, visit Peace of Mind Dental Studio immediately to get your cavities examined and see if they can be cured.
Treatment Options for Tooth Decay
First, you should know that tooth decay can be cured.
If it is detected early, the tooth’s integrity can be saved.
For different stages, there are multiple treatment options, which have been discussed below:
Fluoride Treatment
Another important fact- enamel is the strongest substance in your body.
Yet, bacteria and plaque can damage this enamel.
So, if your enamel wears off, it results from years of ignorance. This process is called demineralization. It is a very early stage and can be cured with fluoride treatment.
At Peace of Mind Dental Studio, we use gels, varnishes, or foams as part of fluoride treatment. These are high in fluoride concentration; thus, your enamel layer quickly recovers compared to toothpaste or mouthwash. It halts the decay progress and promotes dental health.
You should buy a toothpaste with fluoride. Always check the content of your toothpaste.
Many toothpastes have abrasive minerals in them, which damage the enamel layer. So, choose wisely.
Dental Fillings
The next stage of tooth decay is cavities. As enamel is lost, the bacteria start attacking the dentin layer. It creates very small or invisible holes.
Dental fillings are the restorative materials that fill the cavity after thoroughly cleaning. When the cavity is packed and sealed, bacterial progress stops. Materials such as resin, amalgam, glass ionomer, etc., are used to fill the cavities.
It stops further decay and saves teeth.
Even at this stage, it is possible to stop the decay.
Inlays and Onlays
When the cavity progresses, the dental crown starts to deteriorate. Cavities that can’t be cured with dental fillings require inlays and onlays.
Inlays are restorative caps that fit in the cusps of the teeth, say the center of the molars. Onlays are the same, the only difference being that they cover the tooth’s entire chewing surface.
It transforms your tooth and eliminates the worry of having a cavity-affected tooth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are the caps that sit atop teeth. Dental crowns are the option when your tooth structure is compromised by tooth decay.
The decayed part of your tooth is removed. The tooth is cleaned and shaped to fit the crown. The dental impression of your teeth is taken, and the crown is prepared in the lab.
Then, it is fixed in your mouth, restoring the decayed tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
When the decay reaches the pulp, a root canal is prescribed.
The decayed pulp throbs and causes immense discomfort. Thus, a root canal is required.
If you worry that it is a painful procedure, you need not think about it. It is a quick procedure that effectively treats the decayed tooth.
The first step is to anesthetize the area. Then, a small incision is made in the teeth, and the decayed pulp is removed. After a thorough cleansing, the decay is filled with gutta-percha and sealed with inlays, onlays, or a dental crown. The choice of sealing cap depends on the extent of damage to the tooth structure.
Extraction
If extraction is advised, then your tooth is way past the saving. The infection could also spread to the adjacent teeth. Thus, extraction is required.
It is simple. The tooth is extracted. It creates a gap in its place, which can be filled with a dental implant if your age and health permit as such.
Tooth Decay Treatment at Peace of Mind Dental Studio
Tooth decay is very common but it is preventable. You can stop it by brushing your teeth properly and caring for your dental health.
However, if a bacterial attack causes tooth decay, you must visit us at the earliest at Peace of Mind Dental Studio, Chandler.
Only by staying vigilant and scheduling regular checkups can we detect cavities or decay before they cause irreversible damage to your teeth.
Boon an appointment today!
