One of the most important reasons why consistent dental care is important is to prevent dental health concerns like tooth decay from forming. Another important reason is staying ahead of such a problem if it does occur so you can address it early and prevent it from getting worse. This is important for many reasons, including helping you avoid the need for more extensive dental treatment. For example, in the worst-case scenario for tooth decay, the consequences can be much more significant than you might expect.

What happens to a tooth that’s decaying?

Tooth decay, like many other oral health concerns, doesn’t always start off as a serious concern. When a tooth first starts to decay, it involves the weakening of your tooth enamel, which is something that occurs every day when oral bacteria gather on your teeth and release harmful acids and substances. This becomes a problem when these attacks outpace your teeth’s ability to replenish their enamel, and the bacteria are able to compromise the enamel and infect the tooth’s main structure underneath it.

Addressing the problem as early as possible

Addressing tooth decay early can mean a few different things. For instance, improving your dental hygiene routine, snacking habits, and schedule of preventive dental care can address the early stage of decay, known as enamel erosion. If tooth decay has already developed, then it may mean placing a small filling in the tooth’s cavity before it can progress any further. Addressing the decay in your tooth early is important to protecting the tooth structure from the extensive erosion that tooth decay causes. It’s also essential for restoring your tooth’s health and integrity without needing more extensive treatment, such as root canal therapy.

The progression of decay that isn’t treated promptly

When tooth decay is allowed to develop and become severe, everything about the condition becomes increasingly worse. A severe case of tooth decay typically means that infection in the structure has reached the tissues inside of the tooth, which run from the tooth’s pulp chamber through the root’s inner canal. This can cause your tooth to experience substantial discomfort, and can result in complications such as a tooth abscess, or pocket of infection, forming at the tip of the tooth’s root. Treating a severely infected tooth is a more involved process than treating an early cavity, and involves removing the tissues from within the tooth and sealing the pulp and root canal.

Avoid the worst-case scenario for your tooth decay

The worst-case scenario for your tooth decay can mean significant damage and infection to the tooth, but you can often avoid this by seeking treatment as soon as possible. To learn more, 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.