Who doesn’t enjoy treating themselves to their favourite sweets fromtime to time? Unfortunately, if you’re experiencing discomfort or pain in your mouth, that moment of enjoyment could be overshadowed by distress instead of the satisfaction of indulging in your favorite treats.
This might be a sign of tooth decay and you should consult with your dentist soon for a variety of restorative dentistry treatments before it turns into an emergency.
Brown or white spots
It is extremely important to have good understanding of tooth anatomy in order to know the different stages of tooth decay. Each tooth is made of dentin, enamel and a pulp chamber. Tooth enamel, being the hardest substance of the body, contains high level of minerals in order to protect the internal tooth structures.
The initial stage of tooth decay is known as demineralisation which is the development of brown or white spots on the enamel surface. Since this stage cannot be often detected when the teeth at the back of your mouth have been affected, then it is important to go for routine examinations every six months. During the examination, your doctor will recognise these spots by using X-ray technology.
At this stage, you might be suggest to undergo conservative treatments for encouraging remineralisation, such as restricting the intake of sugary foods, rinsing with fluoride contained toothpaste, having protective dental sealants or following an oral health care routine for your teeth.
Tooth enamel decay
When acids from food and bacteria linger on your teeth, they can begin to erode the enamel. This process gradually creates small cavities or holes in the tooth surface. Once the enamel is compromised, it is crucial to seek dental care. To address decay effectively, a dental filling may be necessary. This procedure not only removes the affected material but also restores the strength of your tooth structure. By filling the cavity, you help prevent further damage and protect your overall oral health. Taking this step is essential for ensuring that your teeth remain strong and healthy for years to come.
Dentin decay
If the cavity is left untreated, then it will continue to break in the underlying layers of the tooth. Once the dentin layer gets affected, you will begin experiencing some kind of pain and discomfort. This will always vary, depending on the patient. This could range from severe ache to continuous pain, particularly at the time of biting or chewing. Depending on the size of the cavity that you have, the dentist will suggest performing a crown, a dental filling, inlay or onlay in order to prevent any further damage.
Pulp chamber decay
When tooth cavity reaches this stage, you cannot reverse the damage or repair tooth with traditional methods. Pulp chamber houses blood vessels, soft tissues and nerves of the tooth that reach the tooth root. Patients having pulp decay will suffer from some kind of sensitivity to hot and cold, due to extreme pain. Root canal is a suitable option to prevent an extraction and restore your damaged tooth. During a root canal procedure, the inner pulp will be removed and then replaced by using a material called gutta-percha. A dental crown is then placed over the tooth for supporting tooth structure.
Dental abscess formation
If pulp decay is not treated, then the infection will continue to the centre of the tooth. This ten attacks the root, causing a dental abscess. In other words, an abscessed tooth is usually characterised by gum swelling, jaw pain, and pus. When the infection reaches this stage, the adjacent teeth are at a higher risk of getting infected.
Patients are highly susceptible to jawbone damage, gum disease and other physical conditions. At this stage, getting your tooth extracted is the only solution and your dentist might suggest performing dental implants or bridges for tooth replacement.
Thus, if you are suffering from oral pain or sensitivity, contact our Camden High Street Dental Practice to fix an appointment for routine checkup and improve your oral health condition.
