If you are having toothache due to tooth decay then you might be going through miserable pain. In most cases, tooth decay is the main reason behind toothache. The medicine and ice pack applying can just relieve you from pain for some moment, the pain will appear again after some duration. Generally, visiting the dentist is the only better option for getting proper treatment. Some people are also afraid of going to the dentist due to fear of the painful treatment process. However, avoiding the dentist visit will only increase the severity of the toothache later. A visit to the dentist can help to understand the dental problems and possible treatment.

What is tooth decay and why is it a problem?

Tooth decay is the cavity development on the tooth which forms due to the result of enamel layer erosion from the tooth layer. The erosion and breaking of the enamel layer from the tooth surface start increasing the speed of the tooth decay.

Tooth decay is a big problem as it causes several complexities like:

• A smaller portion of tooth decay starts spreading across the whole tooth that damages the whole tooth.
• Tooth decay causes extreme sensitivity in the tooth for hot, cold, and sugary food items.
• Tooth decay causes bad breath in the mouth.
• Frequent tripping of the food particles in the teeth.
• Infection in the pulp of the tooth.
• After a certain period, the tooth becomes loose that eventually falls off or needs to be removed.

What causes dental decay?

There are one or multiple reasons for dental decay that increases cavity development on the tooth.

Here are some causes of tooth decay:

1. Bacteria development on teeth

One of the main causes of tooth decay is the bacteria development on the teeth. The bacteria are the result of the sugary stuff in our mouths that gets from the food we eat. These sugars attract more bacteria layers on the teeth that cause tooth decay.

2. Gap between teeth

Whenever there is some minor gap between the teeth, the smaller food particles easily get trapped in the space. It further gives an invitation for the bacteria that decays the teeth further.

3. Infected tooth

Sometimes, pus gets developed on the tooth that causes infection to the tooth. It further causes the problem of tooth decay and more pain in the tooth.

4. Gum disease

Some of the gum disease problems like Gingivitis and Periodontitis also affect the tooth. It leads to cavity development of the teeth.

5. Inability of the brush to reach the complex region

It is not possible for the toothbrush to reach the complex areas of the teeth and clean them. This causes more cavity development on the tooth and decay in the tooth.

These are some of the causes of tooth decay. Here, it becomes important to do the necessary treatment sooner to avoid further complications in the tooth.

Why is visiting the dentist so important?

It is always advisable to visit the dentist sooner to avoid more complicated situations in the tooth.

Here are some of the reasons for visiting the dentist soon:

1. To avoid further tooth decay

A problem like tooth decay starts from the smaller spot on the teeth. However, this starts increasing over a period that spreads across the whole tooth. It then decays the whole tooth that causes pain and destroys the root of the tooth.

2. To prevent tooth loss

When tooth decay goes beyond a certain limit, it becomes impossible to retain the tooth. The treatment like a root canal cannot work on it properly. Here, the removal of the tooth becomes necessary. By visiting the dentist earlier can help to avoid further tooth destruction.

3. To avoid gum disease

Tooth decay sometimes also impacts the gum nearby due to the bacteria development. It causes gum diseases like Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gum disease like Gingivitis is easy to treat and cost-effective. However, when Gingivitis is not treated soon, it causes Periodontitis disease that affects the jaw bone and is difficult to treat. An early visit to the dentist can help to detect the gum disease sooner and treat it.

4. Avoid painful & costly treatment process

The treatment done at the initial stage of tooth decay is comparatively less costly. However, when the tooth decay problem goes beyond a certain limit, the treatment is more painful for the patient. Also, mostly the treatment process is costly.

Apart from these, there are other benefits too for doing the tooth decay treatment soon. Treatment done early also helps to get relief from the pain sooner. Toothache and other dental problems impact proper functioning of the mouth that causes problems while eating, smiling, and talking. Its painful experience also impacts the quality of life. So, do not wait longer when you realize there is a tooth decay problem to get the dental treatment.