How Bad Is Tooth Decay, Really?

February 1, 2018

Have you ever wondered if all of your worry about cavities is just too much? Maybe you have thought to yourself that tooth decay might not be as bad as people say it is. Do you think that maybe getting cavities is just normal thing that every person should accept? These kind of thoughts may make you believe that you can be a little more relaxed about your oral hygiene or your regular visits to the dentist. While everyone appreciates an attempt at enjoying a more relaxed approach to life, the truth is that it is very important to both your oral health and overall health to keep tooth decay away from your smile.

Infection Can Impact Your Overall Health

Tooth decay is a disease that will continue to progress until it is treated. This means that if you choose to ignore the problem, it will grow into something much worse than it started as. Tooth decay typically begins small. It will likely not even be painful or noticeable to you in the earliest stage. After that the decay may begin to eat away at your tooth’s enamel to form a cavity. A filling can stop a cavity, but if it is ignored, the problem can continue to progress. Tooth decay that reaches the inner area of your tooth may need to be treated with endodontic care. Without care, the decay can lead to a painful, problematic infection within your tooth.

You Can Lose a Tooth

When you experience tooth decay, some of the tissue of your tooth dies. Extensive decay and damage of a tooth can ultimately lead to a necessary extraction. An infection within your tooth could enter your bloodstream to affect other parts of your body. An extraction can help prevent the spread of infection. Ultimately, it is important to deal with tooth decay. It can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. It can be treated early enough to prevent tooth loss.

Tooth Decay Should Be Prevented and Treated

Do you have questions about tooth decay? To schedule a consultation for your smile, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.