Loving your smile and feeling comfortable in your own skin is one of the major benefits of cosmetic dentistry. Indeed, there is nothing wrong with wanting to perfect your grin’s appearance, and various blemishes can be treated easily with bonding and contouring, whitening, or even use of porcelain veneers. While it may be simpler to achieve that gorgeous beam than you initially thought, it is important to remember that your health is of the utmost importance. Further, failing to practice thorough preventive care will inevitably lead to infections and other complications down the line. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI dentist explores the progression of dental decay and shares how you can better stay on top of oral care.
Nothing More Than a Small Hole
You may be aware that there are many factors out there you have to protect your teeth from, and because of this, you have likely been practicing the same preventive dental routine since you can remember. Though it is important to ensure your teeth are cared for, it does not hurt to revisit your routine and double-check that you are providing the best level of care you can.
Among the many issues out there that can influence oral health, the most common bacterial infection belongs to none other than dental decay. Decay occurs when oral bacteria nestle into the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and feed off of the foods you consume. If able to survive, they begin to produce destructive acids that eat away at your protective layer of enamel.
Without updating your preventive practices or having your grin checked during a routine checkup, before long, you are presented with a small hole in your tooth known as a cavity. Contact our team today to learn more.
Damaging Your Nerves
Though a minor cavity may be treated with relative simplicity, it is important to note that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the worse it will become. Not only this, but it will become more complicated to treat as well. But why is this?
You see, your cavity serves as a tunnel into the inner workings of your tooth. Here, the sensitive nerves are housed in your tooth roots. When bacteria enter your structure, they begin to cause damage to your nerves, resulting in discomfort, sensitivity, and even pain.
Leading to Tooth Loss
While damaged nerves may seem daunting in and of itself, we regret to inform you that it can, yet again, get even worse. As a matter of fact, decay will continue to spread until all of your teeth are compromised. Because of this, it is always best to treat infection much sooner rather than later.
Schedule Your Visit
To learn more about identifying signs of decay, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI by calling 248-693-6213 and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
