It goes without saying that your oral health is the most important factor to consider when it comes to caring for your smile. After all, your smile’s appearance won’t matter if an overarching infection is taking place, as it will soon compromise the entire thing if treatment is not sought in a timely manner. In fact, the longer you wait, the worse the situation will likely become. In today’s blog, your Auburn Hills, MI dentist discusses how tooth decay continues to spread after causing a cavity, and how the infection will spread to your tooth roots, warranting the need for root canal treatment.
How Infection Spreads
By now, you may be familiar with the notion that tooth decay is among the most common oral health issues in the world. Indeed, it affects millions of Americans every year, and many people fail to seek treatment in a timely manner, as they often do not recognize there is an issue to begin with until it is too late.
Dental decay is caused by oral bacteria that have lurked in the hard-to-access areas of the mouth that are the most difficult to clean. Here, they feed off of the food we consume, which then causes them to produce a destructive acid that erodes your protective layer of enamel. The direct result is a small hole in your tooth known as a cavity.
Your concerns do not end at cavity formation, however, as the situation will continue to worsen without care. In fact, the infection will begin eating down into your tooth, where it will eventually reach your roots and the sensitive nerves that are housed there. For more information about this process and what your options are, reach out to our team today.
What Treatment Looks Like
When your teeth roots begin to be affected by decay, it is only natural that you look toward treatment that addresses this concern. This involves root canal therapy, a process that is characterized by cleaning and removing the infected dental pulp from your roots, then filling the hollow canals with dental material. Once this step is complete, we will place a crown over the structure to promote adequate healing, and then you will be on your way.
Making Time for Recovery
Root canal treatment is one of the more extensive forms of restorative dentistry, and as such, it is important you understand the process and what it means for your smile. In other words, make sure you make proper time for recovery, as it will take time for your tooth to heal.
Learn More Today
Your smile is one of your greatest assets, and we want to do what we can to help you ensure its safety. Contact Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI by calling 248-852-1820 to schedule your next appointment with our team today and learn more.