Some tips for treating tooth decay include regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Learn how to find a dentist in Ashburn, VA, to help you.
Has a never-ending toothache started affecting your ability to talk, chew, and smile? You may have tooth decay! Neglecting to seek tooth decay treatment right away could compromise your overall health later.
Before that happens, read on to discover these tips from your dentist in Ashburn, VA for removing tooth decay. Protect your smile today!
1. Recognize Tooth Decay Stages
Before you need tooth decay treatment, it helps to recognize the tooth decay stages and symptoms you'll experience. Recognizing these stages can help you identify decay early. You can seek professional tooth decay treatment before your decay progresses.
In the first stage, a small white or brown mark (a lesion) will form on your enamel. Lesions develop when acids produce bacteria in plaque. Plaque can cause demineralization of your protective tooth enamel.
Tooth decay is reversible in this stage. You won't experience visible symptoms of pain.
One of the best ways to detect early lesions is to visit
your Ashburn dentist every six months. They'll detect early signs of decay and recommend treatments like dental sealants or fluoride.
If left untreated, decay can reach the deeper layers of your enamel. The decay will become visible on X-rays at this stage. You may experience pain when consuming cold, cold, or sweet foods.
Your dentist can treat your decay at this stage by removing the decayed portion of the tooth. They'll fill the area with composite resin or amalgam.
The decay can progress to the dentine (the soft layer under your enamel). You may experience tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can remove the decay and place a filling or restore your tooth with a dental crown.
If the decay reaches the pulp, you could experience inflammation and severe pain. We recommend a tooth canal at this stage to save the tooth.
Otherwise,
a tooth abscess can form. This pocket of pus can cause swelling and severe pain. The tooth may need to be extracted if the infection is severe.
2. Improve Your Oral Health
Before you require tooth decay treatment, prioritize tooth decay prevention. Start by brushing your teeth twice a day to remove plaque. Floss daily to remove plaque and food remnants from between your teeth.
Plaque is the tacky, clear substance that can form on and between your teeth. Plaque can release acid and cause tooth decay.
Brushing your teeth will remove the bacteria and food particles that cause plaque. Make sure you're using the right brushing technique, which includes:
- Using the right toothpaste and toothbrush
- Brushing at a 45-degree angle
- Brushing with short, circular motions
- Not brushing too aggressively
Flossing will help you remove food, bacteria, and plaque from spots your toothbrush can't reach. To floss, wrap about two inches of floss between your fingers. Unroll a new section as you floss each tooth.
Floss the front and back of each tooth.
You can further improve your oral health by swishing water around your mouth. This technique will remove leftover traces of food. Otherwise, bacteria can feast on these particles and form plaque.
After meals, chew sugar-free gum. In addition to improving your breath, gum can produce saliva, which breaks down bacteria before plaque can develop.
3. Adjust Your Diet
Consuming sugary or starchy foods allows the bacteria in your mouth to feed and produce acid. These acids can weaken your protective tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. Improve your
oral hygiene by adjusting your diet.
Try to limit how much sugar and starch you consume. Consume fewer soft drinks, processed foods, and sugary snacks. Don't forget to drink water after meals to rinse away food particles.
Choose firm, crisp foods that are naturally good for your teeth. Celery, apples, and carrots can reduce plaque. The texture, composition, and nutritional content of these foods can improve your oral health:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cheese (raises the pH level in your mouth)
- Cucumbers (which have a high water content)
- Leafy greens (including kale and spinach)
- Strawberries (high in antioxidants and vitamin C)
- Yogurt (which contains helpful bacteria)
Try snacking on these foods between meals. If you're worried about stains, try these
foods that naturally whiten teeth.
4. Stop Smoking
Avoid smoking or vaping 24 hours after having your teeth professionally cleaned. During this time, your teeth are more sensitive. The chemicals in cigarette smoke could keep your mouth from healing.
Nicotine can also stain your teeth. Tar and nicotine can coat your teeth, harming your teeth and gums. The coating boosts plaque and bacteria production, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
5. Visit Your Dentist in Ashburn, VA
The best way to prevent and treat tooth decay is to consult your
Ashburn dentist. If you have tooth decay, here are a few treatments they may recommend.
Fillings
Fillings are the most commonly recommended treatment for tooth decay. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of your
tooth. They'll fill the space with a material to improve the tooth's structure.
Dental Crowns
Your dentist will recommend a dental crown if a significant portion of the tooth is decayed. Crowns are custom-made caps designed to cover an entire tooth. They're made from metal, porcelain, or a combination of both.
After removing the decayed portion of your tooth, your dentist will reshape the tooth to suit the crown. The crown will be cemented to the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment can remove decay from the pulp of a tooth. Your dentist will clean your root canals and seal them.
If your tooth is severely weakened, your dentist may place a dental crown atop the tooth. This can help you avoid tooth extraction.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is recommended in severe cases when a tooth can't be saved or is compromising your oral health. Your dentist will remove the tooth from its socket. You can replace the tooth with
a dental implant or bridge.
Treat Your Tooth Decay Today
If you develop tooth decay, seek immediate treatment while it's in its early stages. Otherwise, your dentist in Ashburn, VA may recommend more extensive treatments. In the meantime, focus on tooth decay prevention.
The Simply Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry team is dedicated to the oral health of our patients. We offer a full range of the best dental services in Ashburn.
Need tooth decay treatment?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
