Taking care of your smile is a lifelong process, and one that often requires more work than many patients have been actively putting into it. Indeed, there are various sources of threats that can damage your smile’s function, appearance, and overall health. Unfortunately, there are significantly fewer natural defenses that can help fend off these issues. As such, it is important to stay on top of your at-home care routine. In today’s blog, your Auburn Hills, MI dentist takes a look at one of the most common concerns most people face throughout their lifetime and how it progresses to compromise your smile.
It Starts with a Cavity
By now, you likely have established your preventive dental routine. In fact, when we ask our patients about the practices they perform to jeep their smile healthy, most are very quick to identify the need to brush. Indeed, brushing your teeth is the foundation of a healthy routine, but it is important you do not stop there. This is because your smile’s health is affected by the various components inside your mouth, and as such, your routine should be reflective of that.
Among the many factors out there that can influence your oral health, tooth decay has to be the most common bacterial form. This process occurs when oral bacteria nestle into the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and feed off of the particles of food you consume. Certain substances in particular – such as sugar – cause these microorganisms to produce a destructive acid that has a hand in wearing way your protective layer of dental enamel.
Because all of this occurs on a microscopic level, it can be difficult to determine that there is a problem at all. As it persists, however, you will notice the formation of a small hole known as a cavity. To learn more about this process, reach out to our team today.
Spreading to Your Roots
The important thing to note about tooth decay is that it does not simply go away on its own. Indeed, unlike an upset stomach or headache, decay will continue to spread and compromise your oral health.
More specifically, think of the small cavity as more of a tunnel into the inner workings of your tooth. From here, the infection can target your sensitive nerves housed in the roots. While many cases see treatment through root canal therapy, this is not always the case.
Potential for Removal
If a structure has become infected past a certain extent, the next best course of action is to have the structure removed. While losing a natural tooth is the last thing our team wants you to endure, sometimes it is necessary to preserve your overall health.
Learn More Today
Contact Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI by calling 248-852-1820 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about protection from dental decay today.
