As one of the most common dental concerns there are, decay can affect any smile at any given time. To combat the negative effects spreading decay will cause, your dentist recommends staying on top of an involved preventive care routine, including brushing and flossing, watching what you eat, and attending regular routine checkups. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS prosthodontist will take a look at the way that decay spreads and wreaks havoc on your grin, and how it can be combatted early with the use of a dentil filling.
It Starts with Oral Bacteria
Believe it or not, most major dental concerns actually begin with oral bacteria, including gum disease, forms of tooth loss, and more. These oral bacteria tend to thrive in warm, moist, hard-to-access areas of the mouth, which make the back molars and the gum line an ideal spot to set up camp. If permitted to thrive and grow, they will continue to feed off of the food particles and sugars you consume, causing them to secrete harmful acids. These acids are the primary way bacteria begin to break down your teeth, first by softening the bone and then by causing a hole to form known as a cavity. Indeed, oral bacteria are present in every grin, and it is up to us to prevent their development through consistent brushing and flossing at home as well as attending our routine checkups to monitor development. For more information about oral bacteria, contact our team.
Breaking Down Your Tooth
When treatment is not sought, your condition will only continue to get worse and worse as the infection spreads. It begins with the formation of a hole on or around a tooth that then increases in size as more of the structure decays. Bacteria then work their way deep into the inner workings of a tooth, affecting the inner dental pulp and nerves. Extensive treatments such as a dental crown or a root canal are needed to properly prevent further deterioration, otherwise your structure will soon be considered lost. Indeed, a cavity is not like a headache or runny nose in that it won’t go away with time, and in fact will only worsen.
Preventing Further Decay
To best prevent further spread, your dentist will recommend acting on the concern as early as possible. This means seeking a composite resin filling to remedy your cavity. The process consists of properly cleaning and thoroughly removing the infected portions of a tooth, then filling the cavity with a tooth-colored composite resin to reinforce its strength and provide a seamless finish. For more information about this process, contact our team today.
Schedule Your Appointment
Contact the office of Dr. Stuart Dexter, Prosthodontist in Prairie Village, KS by calling 913-362-8200 to learn more about the dangers of decay or to schedule your appointment today.