Tooth decay in Oshawa is still a common problem, and many people have at least one or two fillings. It is important to see your dentist regularly so they can check the condition of your teeth and detect any first signs of lesions or cavities. Failing to visit a dentist regularly can mean a small cavity in a tooth becomes larger, and you may require root canal therapy or even lose the tooth. The good news is that provided you follow a good preventive dental care routine, your risk of tooth decay is relatively low, but knowing which signs to look out for will enable you to make an appointment quickly. The sooner we can treat a cavity in a tooth, the better the chances of saving it.
Tooth Sensitivity
Healthy teeth are covered with tooth enamel; although this is very strong, it can become eroded or damaged. Any lesion or hole in your tooth enamel can potentially lead to tooth decay, and one of the early signs is noticing a tooth has become more sensitive. Often this sensitivity is more noticeable when you eat something very cold or hot. If you have increased tooth sensitivity in Whitby, make an appointment to come and see us so we can assess the reason and, if necessary, treat any early signs of tooth decay.
Tooth Discolouration or Pits
Have you noticed a tooth looks discoloured or has developed black or brown spots or pits? These can be a sign of tooth decay, and our dentist at Margolian Dentistry can assess the reason for tooth discoloration and suggest a suitable treatment to restore the tooth.
Pain or Discomfort When You Bite down
If you have noticed a feeling of pressure or discomfort when you bite or chew food, this can be another sign of something wrong with the tooth. There shouldn’t be any discomfort or pain when biting or chewing on healthy teeth.
Toothache
When a cavity in a tooth is quite deep, it can cause intermittent pain when you bite or chew or a throbbing pain that doesn’t go away. Any form of dental pain in Ajax is a sign that something is wrong and should never be ignored. We always try to see someone in pain as soon as possible, so contact us for emergency dental care. It is important to get in touch even if the toothache seems to disappear. This means the tooth nerve, right in the centre of the tooth and which was initially causing the pain, could have died but the infection will remain and needs professional dental care.
Gum Problems
When a tooth is severely infected, it can affect the gums, so you may notice your gum looks swollen or red around the affected tooth or has begun to bleed when you brush your teeth. In the worst case, you may notice pus around the tooth or a pimple on the gum where pus is building up. If this is the case, you need to see a dentist urgently, so please contact us immediately for appropriate care.
How Is Tooth Decay Treated?
If you have the first signs of tooth decay, such as tiny lesions on your tooth enamel, it may be possible to re-harden the enamel with professional strength fluoride treatments. However, if the cavity is a bit deeper, we will need to remove the damaged portion of the tooth, replacing it with a tooth-coloured filling material. The filling is strong and durable, and long-lasting. When the decay is more significant, for example, if canal therapy is needed, you may need a dental crown to protect the root-treated tooth.
