What is the best way to prevent tooth decay? Brushing and flossing your teeth daily, along with biannual dental appointments for checkups and cleanings can drastically reduce your risk for tooth decay. What if you’re already suffering from the effects of tooth decay? To reverse tooth decay, you should take action as soon as you can. A solution, like a dental filling, can halt the progress of tooth decay, and prevent it from spreading deeper into your tooth. If you don’t take action to reverse tooth decay quickly, it will cost you time and money in the long run.
Dental Fillings Stop the Spread of Tooth Decay
A dental filling is designed to efficiently repair the damage caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by the metabolic activity of bacteria. As bacteria build up on the surfaces of your teeth, they produce acid that wears away at your dental enamel. In time, the acid will create a hole, which is known as a “cavity.” A dental filling is placed after your dentist removes the bacteria from your cavity. The strong, malleable material in the dental filling will contour to the cavity and fill it in, restoring the strength, durability, and appearance of your tooth.
Over Time, Tooth Decay Will Cause More Damage
What happens if you don’t address tooth decay promptly? Tooth decay is a progressive condition. This means that tooth decay will continue to get worse over time. There are some conditions that your body will heal from given time. Tooth decay is not one of them. The longer you let your cavities go untreated, the larger they will become. The bacteria will spread past the layer of dental enamel and into the dentin and pulp of your tooth. This is where major structural damage can be done, and when you will start to experience tooth pain.
The Damage Can Have Serious Health Repercussions
Tooth pain causes discomfort, but it may be something you adjust to by avoiding the tooth in question when chewing. Again, this will not ultimately solve the problem. The damage is still worsening. As infections spread deeper into the tooth, they may reach the root canals. The root canals of your teeth connect to other tissues in your body, and bacteria can use these pathways to create infections in other parts of your oral cavity and body. That’s why you should address tooth decay as quickly as possible.
ABOUT YOUR OMAHA, NE, DENTIST:
Dr. Cassandra Pietrok and Dr. Tom St. Germain of Pacific Hills Dental believe in ongoing education, and use advanced technology to provide you and your family with high-quality dental care. As a Master and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, they are uniquely qualified to provide you and your family with a full range of dental health treatments. To make a restorative dentistry appointment at Pacific Hills Dental, call our Omaha, NE, dental office today at (402)330-2243. We proudly treat patients in Omaha, NE, and all surrounding areas, including Papillion, Elkhorn, La Vista, and Millard.
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