Three Signs of Tooth Decay (And When It’s Time to See a Dentist)

 In General Dentistry

Having great dental hygiene is essential to your overall health. Although it is essential for a healthy mouth, the benefits of great dental hygiene don’t stop there – the condition of your dental hygiene can affect the rest of your body.

The mouth contains pathways to your body’s bloodstream through your gums. Taking care of dental hygiene properly can keep germs and bacteria from accumulating in your mouth and then entering into the bloodstream. If this happens, the germs and bacteria can cause health problems in other parts of your body.

In general, most people are able to handle their dental hygiene at home, but sometimes poor dental hygiene can lead to serious problems. For example, one of the most common conditions that a dentist deals with is tooth decay. Decaying teeth can quickly become a serious problem if they aren’t treated properly and timely. When dealing with a condition such as this, attempting to treat the condition on your own at home may not be the best choice.

 

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is a process that causes the protective enamel of your teeth to break down. The process begins with sugar from foods and drinks that you consume. These sugars stick to the teeth because of plaque–a sticky substance that is constantly created in your mouth from bacteria. When the sugars stick to your teeth, the acid from the sugars break down the enamel. This allows cavities to form on your teeth. If cavities continue to get worse, they can penetrate into the deeper layers of your teeth, infect your gums, and cause a lot of pain.

Common Signs of Tooth Decay

● Visible holes in the teeth
● Mild or sharp toothaches or tooth sensitivity
● Spots or stains on your teeth that could be black or brown

When is it Time to See a Dentist?

You can’t always detect decaying teeth in early stages, so it is important to see a dentist regularly to keep your teeth cleaned. Our San Antonio dentists here at Wurzbach Parkway Family Dentistry can perform a full oral exam, treat the decay early before it becomes very serious, or ideally help to prevent decaying of teeth in the first place!

Besides regular cleaning, if you spot any of the signs of decaying teeth, make your appointment with one of our dentists as soon as possible because the signs will only get worse without treatment. At Wurzbach Parkway Family Dentistry, we have over 43 years of dental experience right here in San Antonio. We can take care of any problems with decaying teeth and help keep your dental hygiene on the right track moving forward.

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Wurzbach Family Dental is a San Antonio Dentist office with cutting-edge technology, exceptional customer service, and a warm and comfortable environment. We write about the latest news in the industry and provide dental tips for our patients.
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