Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy treat patients who suffer from tooth decay in Silver Spring, MD. Dentists often see this common dental concern in people who do not properly care for their teeth. Dental caries can also run in your family. Our dentists do their best to properly clean out infections and fill cavities correctly the first time. Visit us for dental fillings, cavity protection, and more. Learn more about treatment options for tooth decay in Silver Spring, MD.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Plaque is the main culprit for tooth decay. This sticky substance forms when saliva mixes with sugars or starches from the food and drinks. Bacteria in your mouth thrive on these sugars and starches and produce acid. Plaque is constantly building up on your teeth. Cleaning your teeth often is the only way to remove them. This is why brushing your teeth a minimum of twice a day is vital.
Failure to remove plaque allows the acid to erode tooth enamel. It will create small holes in the tooth that will grow bigger and bigger, slowly destroying the tooth.
Tooth Decay Treatment in Silver Spring, MD
Treating dental caries in the early stages is fairly easy. If you visit your dentist every six months for regular check-ups, they will be able to spot a tooth cavity. To treat it, a simple dental filling will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill it in. This will prevent further erosion of the tooth and strengthen it.
Unfortunately, many people avoid their regular dental appointments. When this happens, your dentist cannot spot the decay or treat it. The cavity will grow larger and larger and treatment becomes more difficult. Advanced tooth decay is imminent without treatment. Dechter & Moy Dentistry addresses advanced tooth decay using dental inlays, onlays, dental crowns, root canal treatment, or a tooth extraction.
Dental Inlay or Onlay
If tooth decay is affecting a significant portion of the tooth, you may require a dental inlay or onlay. These are dental restorations that replace the damaged portion of a tooth and are custom-made in a dental laboratory.
A dental inlay is a type of dental filling that is made from a pre-fabricated dental compound, such as gold, porcelain, or composite resin. The dental lab creates the inlay from a mold of your tooth to fit a specific shape. Then, the dentist bonds the dental inlay to the tooth using a special adhesive.
A dental onlay is a dental restoration that treats more extensive decay or a cracked tooth. It is similar to an inlay but extends beyond the cusps of the tooth and covers one or more of them. Dental onlays can consist of gold, porcelain, or composite resin and the dentist also bonds them to the tooth using an adhesive.
Dental Crown
If most of the tooth is destroyed, a dental crown is necessary to give the tooth strength and stability. A dental crown covers the entire visible part of the tooth above the gum line, providing protection and support. This makes a dental crown one of the best treatment options for large instances of tooth decay. By placing a crown, your dentist can ensure that your tooth regains its functionality while preventing further damage. Learn more about our dental crowns treatment, visit Dental crowns.
Root Canal Therapy
Sometimes bacteria can get inside the tooth, causing a severe infection. In this case, you need root canal therapy to get rid of the painful infection. Root canal therapy can be necessary to protect a tooth from decay due to a cavity. During root canal therapy, the dentist removes the infected and/or decayed tissue from inside the tooth, or pulp chamber, and roots to prevent the damage from spreading. Without root canal therapy, the infection can cause an abscess and can lead to tooth loss. To learn about the painless root canal treatment available at Dechter and Moy Dentistry, visit Root canals.
Extraction
If a damaged tooth is beyond repair due to decay, your dentist may need to extract the tooth to protect your oral health. Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from your mouth.
We may remove a severely decayed or infected tooth, overcrowded teeth, or severely injured teeth. To learn about our tooth removal services, visit Tooth extraction.
Tooth Decay in Children
Incidences of dental caries in baby teeth are rising, especially in children ages 2-11. This could be happening for several reasons. Children tend to consume more sugary foods and drinks and starchy foods high in carbohydrates. Anyone who consumes an excess of these types of food and drinks is at higher risk of developing tooth decay. Combine this with the fact that children do not have the best oral hygiene habits yet and it is easy to see why kids have so many cavities.
One of the main goals at Dechter & Moy Dentistry is to work closely with children to teach them how to properly care for their teeth. Consequently, at each routine check-up, our dentists and staff will spend time with your child, teaching them proper oral hygiene habits. We will show them how to brush their teeth and floss effectively. Additionally, our dentists and staff will explain to them the importance of caring for their teeth. We will also spend time with parents and teach them how to care for their child’s teeth at each age.
Tooth Decay FAQs
We have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning tooth decay.
Is tooth decay a cavity?
Tooth decay leads to cavities. Tooth decay is the process where bacteria and acid damage the tooth structure. Over time, this acid can create tiny holes in the enamel. If you don’t get treatment for your tooth decay, these holes can become cavities. So, tooth decay is the cause, and a cavity is the result.
Can tooth decay spread to other teeth?
Tooth decay itself doesn’t spread from one tooth to another like an infection. But decay in one tooth can increase the risk for other teeth. The bacteria and acids that cause decay can affect nearby teeth if oral hygiene is poor.
Sugar and lack of fluoride can increase the risk of decay spreading. We recommend that you maintain good oral hygiene, limit sugar intake, use fluoride products, and visit our dentist regularly for check-ups.
How can I prevent my tooth decay from getting worse?
The best way to prevent tooth decay from worsening is to treat it early on in our Silver Spring, MD, office. We provide professional cleanings every six months.
A good oral hygiene routine can also prevent tooth decay. We recommend that you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque between teeth. You should also try to limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks that feed the bacteria that cause decay.
What foods prevent tooth decay?
Dairy products, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, nuts, leafy greens, and fatty fish are foods that help prevent tooth decay. These foods contain nutrients like calcium and fiber that strengthen teeth and fight harmful bacteria.
Fluoridated water can also wash away food particles and stimulate saliva production. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene and limit sugar intake to prevent tooth decay.
Can I get braces if I have tooth decay?
You should address tooth decay before you get braces. Placing braces on decayed teeth can worsen the problem and complicate treatment. We recommend that you treat cavities or decay first. Once your teeth are healthy, you can proceed with orthodontic treatment to straighten them.
Can a tooth decay under a crown?
Yes, a tooth can still experience decay underneath a dental crown. While the crown itself won’t decay, the underlying tooth structure remains vulnerable. Bacteria and acid can seep in at the edges of the crown and create new cavities.
Regular dental check-ups can catch decay early. If left untreated, decay under a crown can progress and compromise the tooth. The best way to prevent decay under a crown is to practice good oral hygiene.
Can you get rid of tooth decay without going to the dentist?
You can’t fully get rid of tooth decay without seeing a dentist. You can manage the early stages of decay by improving your oral hygiene, fluoride treatments, and dietary changes. However, professional treatment is necessary to remove the decay and restore the tooth once a cavity forms. Regular dental visits can prevent and treat tooth decay.
Treat Cavities
Schedule a dental visit to treat tooth decay in our Silver Spring, MD, dental practice. The dentists at Dechter and Moy Dentistry are your tooth decay specialists. Call (301) 508-9755 or request an appointment online.