To a lesser or greater extent, tooth decay is a circumstance that most of us experience at some point in our lifetime. Tooth decay occurs when cavity-causing pathogens and food particles accumulate in the mouth, forming plaque. Eventually, the acids in plaque eat away at the enamel and form tiny holes, known as cavities.
Our Metropolitan Dental Care Team can help you effectively prevent, detect, and treat tooth decay. Discover how Denver’s Top Dentists can protect your smile.
Some people are predisposed to cavities, while others develop tooth decay from poor oral hygiene habits. Regardless of how your dental decay starts, cavities can have negative consequences if ignored for too long:
1. Sensitivity and Pain
Sometimes, tooth decay is painless. For others, a cavity causes dental sensitivity, which can showcase as a sharp pain when eating or drinking something cold, hot, sweet, or spicy. For some, a toothache might feel like continuous tenderness or occasional intense discomfort without an obvious trigger. No matter what, meeting with your dentist is a sensible choice if you’re experiencing any type of dental sensitivity or pain.
2. Difficulty Sleeping or Insomnia
If your toothache worsens when you crawl into bed, it’s not your imagination. As one lies down, considerable pressure rushes to your head and sensitive areas in your mouth. Consequently, your toothache might be more pronounced because of your sleeping position, posing a challenge as you strive to fall asleep.
3. Poor Nutrition
Malnutrition is on the rise among older adults in the United States, and tooth decay is one of the top culprits of this urgent national health emergency. Poor oral health and malnutrition are connected. A painful cavity can inhibit your ability to chew and swallow food, negatively affecting your daily nutritional intake. For instance, you might eat fewer meals or consume a less balanced diet.
4. Severe Infection
If left untreated, cavities go downhill. A tiny cavity can deteriorate oral tissues and form a severe infection known as a periapical tooth abscess. Generally, abscesses form under the gums but can spread to other body parts. If you catch a dental abscess in time, your dentist might be able to save your tooth with root canal therapy. But your dentist must remove the tooth if the infection becomes too severe.
5. Death
Only two centuries ago, you might be surprised that the leading cause of death was dental abscess brought upon by tooth decay and bacterial infections in the bloodstream. Because of proximity, an infection in the upper jaw can travel through the sinus cavity and reach the brain in a relatively short amount of time.
Fortunately, death by dental abscess is so rare today, thanks to the introduction of antibiotics and innovations in dentistry. Although this might seem like a far-fetched health issue, it’s noteworthy to mention that between 2000 and 2008, over 61,000 hospitalizations and 66 deaths in the United States were tied to dental infections. Therefore, don’t hesitate to treat a toothache. It could save your life!
Rewrite The Ending to Your Tooth Decay Story
As you can see, a cavity is much more than a minor inconvenience. At Metropolitan Dental Care, we believe it’s important to shine a light on how a cavity might impact your entire wellbeing. Although it’s wise to schedule a dental cleaning and exam every six months to help prevent tooth day, we also encourage you to visit your dentist if you suspect a cavity. Call (303) 534-2626 or message us online to book an appointment at our Denver office.
