How Bad Is Your Tooth Decay?

To many people who have it, tooth decay doesn’t seem that bad. Aside from a minor feeling of tooth sensitivity, they may not even realize that anything is wrong with the tooth at first. However, those that experience more severe tooth decay may realize the threat in the form of much more severe tooth pain, as well as noticeable erosion of the tooth’s structure. In many cases, the only difference between minor and severe tooth decay is time; with enough of it, a seemingly minor cavity can turn into a more serious case of internal tooth decay before you realize it.

Has a cavity developed already?

The formation of a cavity, or a depression in your tooth structure, is one of the earliest noticeable symptoms of tooth decay. It develops as the decay starts to erode the tooth’s structure, and grows larger the longer the decay is allowed to progress. If the cavity is treated early, the tooth can often be restored with a conservative, tooth-colored filling, which helps restore the tooth’s strength and integrity as well as protect it from further decay. However, a filling will only suffice as long as the tooth decay remains located in the main structure of the tooth’s crown (known as the dentin).

Is the decay inside of your tooth?

The dentin in your tooth’s crown is the densest part of the tooth, and it protects the chamber at the center of your tooth where the nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues are located. When tooth decay reaches this chamber, called the pulp, the condition becomes much more severe. Infected pulp tissues can also affect the root canal that connects the tooth to your jawbone, which supports the tooth by sending nutrients through the canal. If you experience internal tooth decay, then the symptoms will be much more pronounced than they are with a more moderate cavity. Also, removing the infection could require more involved treatment than a filling, such as root canal treatment.

Is there enough tooth structure left to restore?

In the most extreme cases of tooth decay, the erosion of tooth structure and infection of internal tooth tissues can leave a tooth severely compromised. While restorative treatment can help save most teeth that are affected by decay, some may require tooth extraction to preserve the health integrity of the rest of their oral health. This may be due to a lack of sufficient healthy, natural tooth structure to support any restorative treatment, as well as the threat the infection can pose to surrounding teeth and oral structures if given more time.

Treat your tooth decay, no matter how bad it is

Whether your tooth decay is still minor or has become a severe threat to your tooth, it’s a good idea to treat it as soon as possible. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).