What Is Tooth Decay?
Have you been experiencing frequent pain in your teeth? If so, there is a chance you are suffering from tooth decay. Here is what you can do next!
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is another name for a cavity. A cavity refers to the damaged area in the hard surface of your tooth that has developed openings or holes. Cavities are one of the world’s most common health issue. Anyone at any age can get a cavity. They are extremely prevalent among children, teenagers, and older adults though. Children and teens are more likely to skip parts of their dental routine that help prevent tooth decay. There are three types of tooth decay – smooth surface, pit, and fissure, or root. Your dentist will tell you more.
Symptoms
So how do I know if I have a cavity? Good question. Everyone experiences different symptoms depending on the severity of tooth decay. Some may experience certain symptoms, while others will not. Here is a list of the most common symptoms to look for. If you or anyone in your family experience these, call your dentist!
- Toothache
- Spontaneous pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain when eating or drinking some sweet, hot, or cold
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Brown, black, or white staining
- Pain when you bite down
Again, it will depend on the severity of your case, so you might not have all of these symptoms.
Treatment
Once you discover you have a cavity and call your dentist, it will be time for an appointment. Your dentist will need to examine your teeth to locate the cavity and the extent of it. Once your dentist has time to examine your teeth, he or she can tell you what to do next. Your treatment will depend on your individual case. Your dentist will decide if your cavity is a smooth surface, pit and fissure, or root. After this diagnosis, treatment will begin. There are five typical treatment options to fix tooth decay. The list is below.
- Fluoride treatments
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Root Canals
- Tooth Extractions
Keep an eye out for future blogs that will discuss each treatment option in the future!
If you or anyone you know is experiencing tooth decay, visit the dentist immediately. The sooner your dentist catches it, the better. If you would like more information on cavities, check out Wytheville Dental Group. At Wytheville, our team is dedicated to making you feel your best. We want you to be happy and healthy with the best quality dental care. To schedule an appointment, please visit us online here or call us at (276) 228-2777 today!
