Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria – the same bacteria that forms dental plaque on your teeth every day. As they consume and metabolize the nutrients in your food and beverages, they produce harmful substances, like acids, that can weaken and destroy your tooth enamel. Once this occurs, bacteria can more easily infect your tooth, leading to tooth decay. To prevent this, keep your teeth clean of plaque and oral bacteria by brushing them at least twice every and flossing at least once. Also, be sure to visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings at least twice a year.
If tooth decay does develop, sticking to a schedule of routine dental visits will increase your chances of catching it in its earliest stages. This allows us to treat your decay and the cavity it causes before they can lead to extensive tooth erosion and damage. Fortunately, we can stop most mild to moderate cavities and restore your healthy tooth structure with a custom, tooth-colored filling. We’ll carefully clean away the harmful bacteria and infection, then place biocompatible tooth resin into the cavity to fortify and protect your tooth structure.
In severe cases of tooth decay, the discomfort and damage to your structure can become intense. That’s because the infection has reached the inner chamber of your tooth, called the pulp, and directly infected the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth. Treating severe tooth decay is more involved than preventing it or addressing it early. The treatment often involves removing the infected tooth tissues from the pulp and root canal, then filling the structures with biocompatible material to fully restore your tooth.
If you experience tooth decay, or want to learn how to successfully prevent it, then we can help with customized restorative treatment. For more information, schedule an appointment with us by calling Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.
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