While you may be trying your best to prevent tooth decay, your dentist might find a little cavity in one of your teeth. The thing about smaller cavities is that they are not painful. And so, you may find it tempting to put off any tooth decay treatment. However, this procrastination can be quite costly approach. Tooth decay doesn’t get reversed on itself. So, it might become a serious problem if you are not paying attention to it. In the end, you might have to consider intense treatment options.

You can call tooth decay a sneaky disease because it begins without the patient even noticing. This problem is initiated due to the bacterial plaque which consumes sugars to you eat to produce acids. These acids are strong enough to soften and dissolve the hard enamel which is a strong covering over the teeth. If the problem is left untreated, the decay can work through the layers of your teeth.

The pain and sensitivity are not noticed until decay goes through the enamel into the dentin layer. Now, dentin contains tiny nerve endings which become irritated when they are exposed to the foods and beverages that are hot, cold, sweet, sticky and sour. This entire phenomenon can increase the discomfort when you bite down on your foods and you will notice that the food gets trapped between your teeth quite often.

When decay reaches the dentin, it can spread into it quite rapidly due to the fact that it is much softer than tooth enamel. Root decay can also spread quickly because the root area is covered by cementum, which is quite softer material as compared to the tooth enamel.

One thing worth keeping into consideration here is that the infection due to tooth decay develops when bacteria and decay reach the pulp of the tooth. Pulp is the tooth’s layer which contains nerves and blood vessels. Infection in that area can be quite painful; and that pain is going to be persistent and might keep your up at night. Fever, facial swelling and bad taste in the mouth are the other symptoms that come with this problem. This infection has the tendency to spread into your jawbone or even throughout your body.

The dentist, upon noticing the small decay on your teeth, would suggest an approach to repair the damaged portion. This treatment may include the use of mouth rinses, toothpaste, and filling materials. You can ask your dentist about the right treatment that you can get.

In case the decay has reached the pulp and the pulp has become infected, the treatment options are going to be slim. You might have to opt between the root canal and tooth extraction. If there is no way the tooth can be saved, the dentist will go with the tooth extraction as only option left. Root canal treatment involves removal of the infected pulp from the tooth. this procedure is usually done by an endodontist.