What to Know About Tooth Decay

Many people have a goal to achieve a healthy and vibrant smile for life, and while brushing your teeth is an excellent method to reach this goal, you are going to have to work hard every day to keep up a certain level of care. Indeed, there are various factors out there that can pose a significant threat to your smile, and some can even begin to wreak havoc without your knowledge that anything is occurring. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist takes a look at the progression of dental decay and how it influences your smile at various stages.

It Can Fly Under the Radar

It goes without saying that there are a variety of factors that can tarnish your healthy smile. For instance, certain foods and beverages you consume can lead to enamel erosion and encourage bacteria. What’s more? You are constantly on the lookout for infections such as periodontal disease and signs of teeth-grinding. Of all of these concerns, however, none are more common than that of dental decay.

Tooth decay is a phenomenon that occurs when oral bacteria hide and nestle into the harder-to-reach areas of the mouth. From here, they attempt to feed off of the food you consume, with sugars catalyzing the release of acids, in particular. These acids eat away at your tooth’s natural layer of enamel, and once it is gone, it is gone for good.

Further, a dental infection will only get worse with time, which means waiting for the issue to resolve itself is a good way to guarantee a bigger problem than you began with. For more information about this process and how our office can help, give our team a call today.

From Cavities to Root Infections

When there is nothing protecting your natural teeth from bacteria, a small hole known as a cavity may form. Consider these tunnels into the tooth, and if you do not seek a dental filling soon, you may have to consider more involved treatment such as root canal therapy.

As the infection spreads inside of a tooth, the bacteria will begin damaging your sensitive nerves housed in your roots. This can result in discomfort, sensitivity, pain, and even difficulty with oral functions such as biting and chewing. Contact our office today to learn more.

Seeking Treatment Sooner

Even at a level where damage is occurring to your nerves, untreated dental infections can and will worsen. As a matter of fact, if a structure becomes compromised beyond saving, then the only viable option left to consider is having it removed.

Learn More Today

Contact Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our office, and learn more about the importance of staying on top of your regular preventive dental routine.