While losing teeth and having to replace them due to infection has been a concern for quite some time, forward strides in technology have made it possible to address concerns that once were considered out of the question. Indeed, this advancement has helped millions with their oral health concerns, but keep in mind that they are intended to be utilized as a last-ditch-effort in the event that our preventive measures fail. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist will take a look at the progression of dental decay and what treatment you can seek along the way.

Where Does it Start?

Like many oral health concerns, dental decay begins with harmful oral bacteria. These bacteria are present in ever grin, and while you may be practicing the best preventive habits, it is virtually impossible to rid them all. That being said, our goal is to stay on top of our health by attending dental visits and doing your part at home to keep them at bay.

These bacteria tend to thrive in the hard-to-access areas of the mouth, which make the gums and back molars an excellent home for them. If they successfully find shelter, they will begin to feed off of the sugars and food particles that you consume, causing them to secrete harmful acids that actively break down your healthy structure. Once a weak spot has been established, it won’t be long before it becomes a small hole known as a cavity.

Many people have had their fair share of cavities, and all it takes to restore your tooth is a simple filling procedure. Bear in mind, however, that if you wait too long to act, the decay will continue to spread, infecting your structure from within.

Infection from Within

Once the bacteria have made their way inside a tooth, they begin to infect the inner dental pulp and nerves contained in your roots. At this stage in the process, you will begin to experience heightened sensitivity, sharp pains, and difficulty with function. Additionally, your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment as a last attempt at preserving your natural tooth. If the decay has spread past a certain extent, however, this may fail and your last option may be to have the structure removed.

Possibility of Tooth Loss

Decay can continue to spread until an entire tooth has become compromised, resulting in the need for extraction. In fact, the infection itself can become so severe that other teeth are at risk of infection as well. During this stage, it is likely that your dentist will recommend removing and immediately replacing the tooth with an implant restoration.

Learn More Today

To learn more about the stages of decay and infection, or to schedule your appointment with our team, contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 today.