Don’t let tooth decay go untreated in your smile. When tooth decay sets in, it attacks your pearly whites and invites the formation of cavities. Cavities arise when oral bacteria feed on sugary foods (and drinks) to create acids. This acidic residue combines with bacteria, food particles, and saliva, in the mouth to form a sticky film known as plaque.
As dental plaque builds up in the mouth, it attacks and erodes tooth enamel. Tiny openings then result in the enamel making way for plaque to move onto the sensitive dentin layer beneath the enamel. As the march continues, plaque enters the inner layer of the tooth (the tooth pulp), and if left to continue, the bone supporting the tooth will also be invaded. As the tooth decay steadily advances, your body will send out white blood cells to fight it, and eventually, the abscessed tooth will require a root canal or extraction, depending on the extent of the tooth damage.
As the decay steadily advances, your body will send out white blood cells to fight it, and eventually, the abscessed tooth will require a root canal or extraction, depending on the extent of the tooth damage. Eventually, your body will send out white blood cells to fight the invasion and at that point, the abscessed tooth will likely need a root canal or extraction.
While your daily brushing and flossing protect your teeth and gums from plaque, cavities may still arise as some of the plaque hardens. This is where your routine bi-annual dental cleanings give your dentist the opportunity to remove tartar (calculus) and to find and treat cavities in the early stages.
At Family Dental of Lincoln in Chicago, Illinois, cavities are treated by removing tooth decay and filling the hole with a composite resin tooth-colored material. This provides a natural-looking, durable restoration. So, if need to schedule your next dental cleaning, please reach out to our team at 773-561-5106 today. Don’t leave untreated tooth decay in your smile!
