Early Intervention For Tooth Decay
Posted October 17, 2016 by Wager-Evans Dental
Putting a stop to tooth decay is vital for your oral health, and for your overall health. If you leave a cavity to continue its spread, bacteria can travel beyond the tooth and create more trouble. You could also lose your tooth. If you act quickly, you can put a stop to your decay when its effect is limited. If you have a small cavity treated, your tooth may only need a dental filling. In some cases, your dentist can find evidence of damage to your enamel that could become a cavity, and offer treatment to help put a stop to the damage. Fluoride varnish treatments encourage the regrowth of damaged enamel. While this regrowth is not enough to heal a cavity, it can help your enamel recover before a cavity has formed.
Stopping A Cavity Early Can Protect The Living Tissue Within Your Tooth
With enough time, a cavity will move through your enamel. Your pulp, the area within your tooth that contains living tissues, can be infected when a cavity progresses through your enamel and dentin. Once this happens, you can suffer acute tooth sensitivity, and even experience regular pain. To treat a cavity that has spread this far, your dentist will need to perform a root canal treatment. However, if you seek treatment properly, the cavity can be removed before it reaches this stage.
Good Oral Care Can Help Your Teeth Resist Tooth Decay
Strong, healthy enamel can have an easier time resisting harmful agents that can lead to the formation of cavities. Be sure you see your dentist for your regular semiannual checkups. These visits, along with smart at-home care, can ensure that your enamel holds up well against dental damage.