DentistryDental Treatment for Tooth Decay

A toothache means that you may need to see your dentist fast. It means that there’s something on your tooth that needs fixing and your dental care provider will do a thorough checkup on your teeth. She can then decide the best course of action to take in curing the pain that you are experiencing.

People usually experience tooth decay because they don’t brush their teeth often. They eat sweet and sticky foods. And they don’t pay a visit to their dentists. Decay is usually diagnosed when there are tooth sensitivity and pain. It can be detected by examining the affected area and probing the teeth with instruments to see the extent of the cavity.

If you have impacted teeth, your dental care provider can usually present options for you.  Treatment methods may vary and these options usually involve the following:

Teeth Treatment Options

Fluoride Treatment – This is applied when the cavity is in its early stages. If your dentist can still save the enamel, she can apply fluoride to reverse the decay process. The amount of fluoride used is usually much more than the regular volume that is found in mouthwashes and toothpaste. The treatment is applied to the impacted tooth in a gel or paste form.

Fillings – This is also known as restoration. When the impacted tooth is beyond saving and the decay has already progressed from its initial stage, then fillings can be an option. Your dental care provider will clean the teeth, fill it with amalgam, or porcelain, and remove the excess material.

Crown – This is applied when the pulp already experiences decay and it’s on a weakened state. The dentist will drill and remove the entire pulp, and cover the tooth with a synthetic crown. Some of the teeth are drilled as well to ensure that the new crown fits the mold. The customer can request crowns made of gold, silver, resin, or porcelain depending on their preferences.

Root Canal – This is a kind of treatment applied when the decay reaches the inner pulp. This is when the tooth is the most painful. This is the last option that is considered by many when they don’t want to extract their tooth and the edges around can still be saved. The dead pulp is removed and the rest is filled with amalgam or gold.

Extraction – This is done when the tooth is beyond saving. The decay is so severe that any restoration attempts will not do any improvements. After the extraction, the pain can also stop which provides extreme relief for patients who are suffering from toothache. However, this can leave a gap in the oral cavity. In such cases, dental implants can be considered as a solution to replace the extracted tooth. Visiting a reputable dental clinic offering dental implants Madison, MS, or someplace nearby can be an excellent option. Dental implants are a permanent solution and can help restore the smile and oral health of the patient. They are usually made of bio compatible materials and are custom-made for each patient.

Plaque is the Cause of Decay

If you don’t brush properly after eating sweet and sugary food, a thin film that is full of bacteria can develop over time. This film gives the teeth a yellowish color and it also causes bad breath. The bacteria break down the carbohydrates in the food resulting in acid. If the bacteria are not removed, they will continue to accumulate acid which causes holes or cavities.

Once the enamel has cavities, the softer bone underneath it can be invaded by bacteria. The process of decay speeds up and the pulp that contains the nerve vessels are infected. When the nerves come in contact with the bacteria, this is when a person experiences pain. If you are in a lot of pain you can get help from sites such as the Lancaster Family Smiles which can provide you advice for fast relief.

Get Relief from Pain

There are steps that you can take in order to relieve the pain that you experience from tooth decay. While you wait for your dental appointment, do the following to ease your discomfort.

• Brush your teeth using warm water
• Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth
• Brush the painful area thoroughly
• Use a pain reliever that is recommended by your dentist
• Avoid chewing on hot or cold food that triggers pain

Toothaches can be prevented through regular visits to your dentist. You also need to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly and avoid eating sweet food and sugary beverages. You need to take care of your teeth properly so that they will stay with you for a lifetime. Request an appointment to your dental care provider today even if your tooth doesn’t hurt.