Treating Internal Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a serious oral health issue that can grow from a small cavity on the surface of your tooth to a full-blown oral health crisis. Tooth decay is also a progressive condition, meaning that it won’t go away over time, it will get worse. Ignoring the signs of tooth decay will only lead to more issues. Plus, tooth decay isn’t limited to the surfaces of your teeth. Internal tooth decay can threaten the viability of your entire tooth, and even lead to additional health problems via the spread of infection. Here’s how you can treat your internal tooth decay to prevent these issues.

How Does Tooth Decay Spread Over Time?

Tooth decay is the most common oral health issue that individuals face. Almost everyone deals with cavities at some point in their life. Small, surface cavities can be treated with dental fillings. Your dentist first removes the bacteria present and cleans the cavity before filling it. If you don’t seek treatment for your tooth decay, it will spread deeper into your tooth. Once the bacteria reach the pulp layer of your tooth, the infection can spread to the root canals. These passageways connect to other oral tissues, and bacteria can spread from the root canals through the bloodstream.

Root Canal Treatment Stops Internal Tooth Decay

Root canal treatment is used to stop internal tooth decay and protect your tooth from future harm. Just like during the process of placing a dental filling, your dentist must first remove the bacteria from your root canals in order to save them. Your dentist will carefully access this interior portion of your tooth and extract the bacteria and infected tissue. Then, your dentist will fill and seal the canal with a biocompatible material to prevent bacteria from entering in the future. Finally, your dentist will place a dental crown on top of your tooth to protect it.

Reasons to Pursue Root Canal Treatment

The roots of your tooth give it strength and integrity. When those roots become compromised, so does the overall health of your tooth. In cases of severe decay, root canal treatment is the best way to prevent the need for tooth extraction. If your dentist is able to preserve your roots, the dental crown can protect them for the future. Furthermore, if you allow your infection to persist, it may work its way into other tissues within your body, causing blood clots in some cases.

Pursue Root Canal Treatment inGary, IN

If you notice the signs of tooth decay, or you simply haven’t been to the dentist in over six months, be sure to make an appointment as soon as possible. Regular checkups, in addition to home cleaning routines, go a long way toward preventing serious oral health issues. At Healthy Smiles Northwest Indiana, you’ll receive crucial care in a comfortable environment. You can schedule your appointment for restorative or general dental procedures by contacting the Healthy Smiles Northwest Indiana office in Gary, IN at 219-938-2637.