
Tooth decay is as relentless as it is destructive, and it makes little distinction between age, gender, ethnicity or social status. Although risk levels vary from person to person, we’re all potentially in the crossfire for this harmful disease. Getting ahead of it early could save your teeth.
Tooth decay begins with oral bacteria. While feeding on dental plaque that accumulates on the teeth, bacteria multiply and produce acid as a by-product. Too much acid softens and erodes tooth enamel, which enables decay to advance deeper into the tooth.
If it isn’t stopped, decay can eventually infect and weaken the roots and bone, and ultimately lead to a lost tooth. By stopping it as early as possible before it reaches the inner pulp and root canals, we can greatly limit the damage.
Regular dental care is crucial for early detection. Here’s how we can stay ahead of developing decay during dental visits.
Visible inspection. There are visible signs a trained dentist may notice that point to tooth decay. Besides an already formed hole or cavity, we might also pick up on other unusual appearances like white spot lesions: these slight blemishes often occur in the areas of contact with other teeth, which we can treat with topical fluoride.
X-rays. This tried and true diagnostic tool has been a mainstay of dental care for nearly a century. The images they produce can indicate decay as darker spots or areas on or within the tooth that may not yet be visible to the eye. And with advances in digital processing and more streamlined equipment, we can effectively do this with a very low dosage of radiation exposure.
Advanced technology. We’ve developed other means for better disease detection that complement x-rays and visual inspections. Specialized microscopes and lasers are now important tools for analyzing suspected areas of early decay.
Even if decay gets a foothold we can effectively stop it and restore a tooth with a root canal treatment or a similar procedure. The best outcome, though, is to not allow this destructive disease to get that far. With dedicated oral hygiene and regular dental visits that uncover early decay, chances are good your teeth can remain healthy for a lifetime.
If you would like more information on fighting tooth decay, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Tooth Decay: How to Assess Your Risk.”
Comments:

Patient Education
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- dental implants (20)
- celebrity smiles (61)
- bridgework (1)
- dental injury (6)
- mouthguard (2)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- dental anxiety (1)
- TMJ Pain (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- oral hygiene (21)
- pediatric care (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (16)
- Dentures (10)
- oral health (16)
- tooth grinding (1)
- orthodontics (7)
- retainers (5)
- bad breath (1)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- x-rays (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- crowns (4)
- teeth whitening (5)
- braces (7)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- bulimia (1)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- porcelain veneers (2)
- veneers (4)
- nutrition (6)
- tooth decay (5)
- fluoride (2)
- missing teeth (3)
- mouth sores (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- sugar (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- dental bridges (2)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- toothache (2)
- tmj disorders (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- apioectomy (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- dental bonding (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- orthodontic treatment (15)
- bonding (1)
- jaw pain (4)
- tmj (3)
- gum disease (16)
- laser dentistry (2)
- headgear (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- cosmetic contouring (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- cancer (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- tooth pain (3)
- teeth grinding (2)
- diabetes (1)
- gum recession (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- smoking (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- eating disorder (1)
- Dental Implant (4)
- apicoectomy (1)
- retainer (1)
- root canal treatment (5)
- tooth wear (1)
- extraction (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- TMJ/TMD (1)
- dental cleaning (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- Crowns and Bridges (2)
- root canal (1)
- fillings (1)
- Partial Dentures (1)
- Full Dentures (1)
- sealants (1)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- lingual braces (1)
- dental care (2)
- Dentist in Marietta GA (1)
- Bridges (1)