Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is the most common oral health problem in the world. Many people remain unaware they have a cavity until their tooth decay becomes severe. That is why Thomas E. Wold, DMD and strongly suggest you keep your routine dental checkups atAesthetic Dentistry of Bend so that we can treat any tooth decay while it is still in its early stages.
Stages of Dental Decay
There are six stages of tooth decay:
Stage 1: Enamel Demineralization
The sugars and bacteria attack our teeth and destroy the calcium in our enamel. This results in demineralization and is characterized by chalky white spots on the teeth. The damage at this stage is reversible.
Stage 2: Enamel Breakdown
The enamel decays as the bacteria multiply. At this stage, your body is unable to remineralize your enamel sufficiently, resulting in lesions on the surface of the teeth.
Stage 3: Dentin Decay
Once the enamel breaks down, the bacteria attacks the vulnerable underlying dental layer, known as dentin. You may start to experience sensitivity and pain at this stage. A filling can help restore your teeth at this stage.
Stage4: Pulp Infection
The pulp lies beneath the layer of dentin and consists of the tooth nerve, blood vessels and soft tissue required to keep the tooth alive. If bacteria infect the inner chamber of the tooth, it will damage the pulp, resulting in persistent and acute tooth pain. You may require a pulpectomy to save your tooth at this stage.
Stage5: Abcess Formation
At this stage, the infection reaches the tip of the tooth root and creates an abcess there. This destroys the connecting bone tissues in your jaw. The abcess may be seen as a pimple-like swelling on your gums or cheek and you may have a bitter taste in your mouth caused by a fistula leaking pus. This is the last stage of tooth decay but tooth surgery can still save your tooth.
Stage6: Tooth Loss
If you do not treat the tooth in this painful stage, it will continue to lose soft and hard supporting tissues and will soon fall out. Worse, the infection may spread to other teeth and your jaw as well.
Treatment of Tooth Decay
Fortunately, we at Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend can help you treat your tooth:
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We strongly suggest your brush your teeth twice a day every day and floss once a day. Also use mouthrinse when required.
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Reduce consumption of starchy, sugary food and alcohol. Avoid eating in between meals.
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Drink lots of water to increase the production of saliva which fights bacteria in the mouth.
The most important thing you can do to preserve your tooth health is never to miss your dental appointment with us. Even though early stage dental decay does not cause pain, we can still determine if your tooth is in need of treatment.
If you are concerned about your tooth health, call us today at (541) 389-0261 to schedule an appointment with us.
Dentist Bend, OR • Dental Blog • Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend Dr. Thomas E. Wold has created this blog to help educate the community. Like a Post? Please use the "share it" button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend, LLC - Thomas E. Wold DMD, 124 NW Hawthorne Ave. Bend, OR. 97703 • (541) 389-0261 • wolddmd.com • 3/23/2023 • Page Phrases: dentist Bend OR •
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is the most common oral health problem in the world. Many people remain unaware they have a cavity until their tooth decay becomes severe. That is why Thomas E. Wold, DMD and strongly suggest you keep your routine dental checkups atAesthetic Dentistry of Bend so that we can treat any tooth decay while it is still in its early stages.