Tooth Decay
From quality preventative dental care plans to gentle and compassionate treatments, our team is here to help you win the battle against tooth decay.
Common Problems
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay or dental cavities are unfortunately a very common problem. It can affect people of all ages, from children through to adults. Providing quality preventative care, along with gentle and compassionate treatments, Knight Street Dentists are here to help you achieve optimal oral health.
What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay occurs when germs in plaque (the sticky substance that forms on our teeth) mix with sugars and starches in the food we consume. This combination produces acids that attack our tooth enamel, leading to decay.
Let's talk tooth decay symptoms
Dental cavities can often go undetected in the early stages, as they do not cause pain. The best method for early detection is to ensure you visit our team for a regular checkup.
If the decay progresses it can cause tooth sensitivity, pain when eating or drinking, visible holes, or discolouration. If untreated for a long period, tooth decay can affect the tooth nerve, leading to a painful toothache and possible infection (abscess).
The earlier we discover a cavity, the better; especially in terms of treatment. This is because as the disease advances, the treatment becomes more involved and there’s also the risk of irreversible damage.
Our top tips to prevent tooth decay
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
The best treatment for tooth decay
In the very early stages of tooth decay, we may be able to treat it with fluoride combined with a prevention plan. We may also recommend that we apply sealants to healthy back teeth to protect them from decay. If decay has broken through the tooth enamel, you’ll likely need a filling.
If the decay has advanced and reached the tooth pulp, you may need a root canal treatment to save your tooth. If left untreated, a cavity will break down and potentially destroy the tooth completely. It may also cause infection which spreads beyond the root of the tooth and causes an abscess.
If you’re experiencing any kind of tooth pain, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with our team. We can provide both relief and a long-term solution to restore your beautiful smile.
While we’re all prone to the threat of tooth decay, our team is here for you, with a proven prevention plan and pain-free treatments. Ready to smile again?
We’re human & we’re here to help
Fill out this contact form and we’ll be in touch
