Treating Tooth Decay, from Minor to Severe

Some of the most common threats to your oral health stem from the oral bacteria that naturally inhabit your mouth. For example, tooth decay – the most common chronic dental condition – is the result of harmful bacteria eroding your tooth enamel and infecting your healthy tooth structure. As the cause behind cavities and more severe internal tooth infection, tooth decay is a greater danger to your oral health the longer it’s left untreated. Fortunately, at our Conroe, TX, dental office, we can treat tooth decay at any stage to help you preserve your tooth structure and healthy smile.

Preventive treatment for early decay

The best treatment for tooth decay (and any oral health condition) is to prevent it, which requires consistently good hygiene and preventive dental care. Oral bacteria gather on your teeth constantly throughout the day, and they produce acids every time you eat or drink. If your enamel grows too weak, your dentist may be able to help you prevent it from becoming completely compromised and allowing decay to form. This may require more frequent dental cleanings and an improved oral hygiene routine, as well as treatments such as fluoride to strengthen your tooth enamel.

Discreet treatment for mild cavities

If bacteria do infect your tooth structure, the infection will leave a depression in your tooth known as a cavity in its wake. The more the decay progresses, the larger the cavity will become and the more intense the pain in your tooth will be. While cavities are common, they can often be treated with conservative, biocompatible, tooth-colored fillings that fill the cavity and protect your tooth. Made from composite resin, tooth-colored fillings blend in with your tooth’s healthy color and appearance while also fortifying your tooth and protecting it from oral bacteria in the future.

Conservative treatment for severe infection

In severe cases of tooth decay, oral bacteria and tooth infection will progress to internal chamber (or pulp) of your tooth, where the nerves and blood vessels rest. From your pulp, these tissues travel through the inside of your tooth’s root (known as the root canal) and into your jawbone. If the pulp becomes infected, then treating your tooth could require removing these tissues and sealing the pulp and root canal off from further infection. Capping the tooth with a dental crown may provide an additional layer of protection, especially as the tooth may have grown weaker from the more involved root canal treatment.

Treat your tooth decay as soon as possible

Tooth decay only gets worse with time, which is why treating it as soon as possible is the best way to preserve your smile. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.