7 Important Facts about Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common dental diseases that dentists deal with. Tooth decay is an issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age.

The symptoms of tooth decay are so common that people tend to ignore them since it does not lead to discomfort in the early stages. However,  ignoring tooth decay can adversely affect your oral and overall health.

Here is a look at 7 important facts that you should know about tooth decay.

1. Tooth decay does not always have symptoms

There are not always noticeable signs during the first stages of tooth decay. That is why regular visits to the dentist are so important. While you might miss some of the signs, your dentist will catch them during a routine examination. Once the dentist detects signs of decay, your dentist will advise you on the best course of treatment.

2. It can lead to tooth loss

While tooth decay might start with a seemingly harmless stain or cavity, it can potentially destroy the structure of your tooth completely. That can lead to other issues like a broken tooth or a damaged tooth that needs extraction.

3. It can lead to sensitive teeth

Tooth decay often causes sensitivity in teeth. The decay eats away at the enamel, exposing the dentin and nerves inside it to the temperatures of the things you consume. However, not all cases of sensitive teeth are a direct result of tooth decay. Some people naturally develop sensitive teeth over time.

4. Cavities grow until addressed

When you ignore a cavity, it will continue to grow through all the layers of your teeth until you can no longer ignore it due to the excruciating pain. The longer you ignore tooth decay, the more expensive the treatments will need to be. A simple filling is enough to deal with most cavities, but if you ignore it, you will eventually need a root canal or extraction.

5. Tooth decay negatively affects your health

Tooth decay does a lot more than lead to toothaches. It can also lead to some rather serious health issues. Some of these include:

• Abscess

• Losing weight

• Cracked or broken Teeth

• Misaligned teeth

• Premature loss of teeth

• Infections inside the bloodstream

6. Might require an extraction

It is not always possible to treat serious cases of tooth decay with a root canal. Sometimes, the structure of the tooth sustains too much damage and will need an extraction. An extracted tooth that is not one of your wisdom teeth will need an implant as a replacement.

7. It has many symptoms

There are many symptoms associated with tooth decay. These symptoms are not always noticeable, but when you have them, there is a good chance you are dealing with tooth decay. These include:

• Toothaches

• Difficulty chewing

• Sensitive teeth

• Swollen gums

• Cavities

• Bad breath

If you think you are dealing with tooth decay, contact us to find out the most effective solution.

For more information about tooth decay or to schedule an appointment with Hemet Dental Center: Brian Stiewel DDS, INC., request an appointment in our Hemet dental office here: https://hemetdentalcenter.com. Or call us at (951) 707-4366.