Decay is arguably the biggest threat to anyone’s oral health, and it is up to us to take the initiative to treat our smiles right with quality care. Indeed, excellent preventive care begins at an early age, and often requires much more effort than many tend to put in to it. Still, an understanding of the dangers and threats that can arise from the phenomenon is necessary in order to fully grasp why a well-rounded routine is needed in the first place. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist talks decay progression, and how it can impact your function and health by attacking the inside of a tooth.
Bacterial Progression
Bacteria are present in every grin regardless of the extent of your oral routine. Of course, the more involved your care is the better off your smile will be, however, it is unfathomable to believe that all bacteria can be removed, as it is virtually impossible. Without adequate care, these microorganisms continue to thrive and cause complications, including infection and decay.
In its earliest stages, decay takes the form of a small hole in a tooth known as a cavity. This process occurs when these bacteria feed off of particles from food we consume, causing them to secrete harmful acids that actively wear down your teeth. While this can normally be handled with a composite resin filling, if untreated, the infection will spread deeper into the tooth and cause problems internally. What’s more, once decay has progressed to this extent, a normal filling may even fail.
Potential to Lose a Structure
Bacterial progression and structural breakdown are a frightening experience, as time and treatment – or lack thereof – are the only factors that matter. In other words, the situation will never get better on its own, and the longer you wait the worse it will become.
You see, when your tooth becomes infected within, your inner dental pulp is affected as well as the nerves contained in the roots. At this stage, you may begin to experience significant sensitivity, difficulty in function, and discomfort. If it progresses any farther, you may even experience the loss of one or several structures. To best avoid this, seeking treatment as soon as possible is a must.
Treatment That Helps
When decay has progressed internally, there still may be a chance to salvage it with a root canal procedure. During this process, your dentist will carefully but thoroughly remove the infected portions of pulp and fill the open canals with a dental material. To finish your treatment, we will create and place a custom crown restoration in order to encourage proper healing, and voila! You are on your way.
Learn More Today
For more information about the dangers of bacterial progression and steps you can take to preserve your grin, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 today.
