Filling and the tooth decay cycle..
Cosmetic Dentistry . Dental Restoration . gum disease . sensitive teeth
Replacing a Filling
Before removing your old filling, It is often possible to repair an old filling instead of removing it and replacing it completely. However, if the entire filling has to be replaced, the dentist may re evaluate what filling material to use.
Even after trying your best to prevent tooth decay, sometimes the dentist finds a little cavity or two. Tooth decay doesn’t repair itself, and what starts out as a minor problem can quickly become serious, changing your treatment options dramatically.
The Start of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is actually a very sneaky disease that typically begins before a patient even notices. Sticky bacterial plaque forms on your teeth and uses sugars in the foods you eat to create acids. These strong acids slowly soften and dissolve the hard enamel covering your teeth. Left untreated, decay will work its way through all the layers of your tooth.
Signs and Severity of Tooth Decay
You won’t notice pain and sensitivity until decay goes through the enamel into the dentin layer. Dentin is made up of tiny nerve endings that become irritated and cause sensitivity when exposed to hot, cold, sweet, sticky and sour foods. You may also feel discomfort when biting down and find that food frequently gets trapped between your teeth.
Decay spreads rapidly through dentin because it is much softer than enamel. Root decay also spreads quickly, since the cementum covering on the root is not as hard and thick as enamel. Be warned that as tooth decay continues, your pain may be more frequent and intense.
It is important to remember that infection develops when decay and bacteria reach the pulp portion of your tooth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels. pain from an abscessed tooth is persistent, serious and will likely keep you up at night. Other symptoms include fever, facial swelling and a bad taste in your mouth. You may notice pus draining from a red swelling on your gum near the root tip. Consequences can be serious if the infection spreads into your jawbone or throughout your body.
