The Different Stages of Tooth Decay With Their Treatment Option

Tooth decay is a teeth damage many people experience. Dental abscesses, cavities, and even tooth loss are all symptoms of tooth decay. The decay in teeth is the work of a specific species of bacteria present in dental plaque. The bacteria break down the sugar present in the food into acids.

Over time, the acids in plaque allow build-up and damage to your teeth if you don’t visit your dentist regularly. At Orion Dental Specialties, you will get dental care designed specially to meet your dental needs. The specialist at Orion Dental Specialties ensures your smile remains beautiful and healthy for the rest of your life. However, you cannot deny the fact, prevention is always the best thing to do.

How to prevent tooth decay?

 To prevent this build-up and damage, you have to –

• Visit your dentist regularly
• Brush your teeth properly
• Limit your sweet consumption
• Avoid snaking 
• Drink tap water
• Ask about sealants

Oral hygiene is crucial with a regular visit to family dentist Cypress TX to prevent tooth decay. Decay occurs in different stages. Read below to know about these states and the type of treatment you will need for different stages.

Stages of tooth decay and their treatment

 Initial demineralization is the first stage of tooth decay. The second stage is enamel decay, the third and fourth stages are dentin decay and pulp damage. The fifth stage is Abscess. The treatment of tooth decay in, Cypress TX depends on the stage of decay you are at. 

Let’s check out the treatment options you have based on the progression of tooth decay. The fluoride treatment is available at dentist Cypress TX at the early stages of demineralization. Fluoride comes in the form of varnish or gel to apply. The fluoride strengthens the enamel and makes it more resistant to the acids plaque bacteria produce. 

Enamel decay is about having cavities. In the case of enamel decay, filling is the best way to treat it. If you discover it early, the filling is an effective treatment for dentin decay. In advance cases, you will get a crown to treat dentin decay.

When tooth decay reaches the pulp stage, your dentist will offer a root canal as a treatment. When you reach the fifth stage of tooth decay, an abscess. Your dentist will ask you to get a root canal. It will remove the infection and will seal your tooth. 

In severe cases, you need to remove your teeth. You can also get an antibiotic prescription to help you to treat an abscess.

The bottom line is tooth decay is dental damage because of the activities of bacteria present in the plaque of your teeth. These bacteria convert the sugar content of your food into acids and damage your teeth. Tooth decay has five stages. The earliest stage is reversible sometimes, but later stages cause permanent damage to your teeth. 

You need to pay more attention to your oral hygiene and eating habits to prevent this damage from happening. The treatment of tooth decay depends entirely on the stage it is in. The common tooth decay treatments include fluoride treatment, antibiotics, filling, and root canal.