What Is Tooth Decay?

When healthy, a human’s teeth serve a number of important functions, and must be cared for in order to work properly. Unfortunately, many people do not take care of their teeth through daily brushing and flossing and therefore experience tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when acid develops from the bacteria inside a human’s mouth and eats away at the tooth causing pain, infection, and if untreated, tooth loss.

Preventing tooth decay is as easy as daily brushing and flossing, but you also need to see a professional dentist regularly to catch and treat any bigger problems that may arise. Contact the Austin cosmetic dentists at BridgeView Dental today at 512-347-8299 to talk with a member of our staff and schedule an appointment.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

The primary cause of tooth decay is when the clear sticky substance on your teeth called plaque mixes with sugars and starches from the food you eat to form a corrosive acid that feeds on your tooth enamel. Plaque can eventually lead to cavities or other oral hygiene problems like gingivitis.

Tooth decay does not typically cause many alarming symptoms until the damage is already done. When the tooth decay is severe enough to cause a cavity or infection you may experience a significant amount of pain. It is important to visit a dentist immediately if you have a severe toothache. You may be able to reverse minimal decay by using fluoride, but if the decay is too severe, your dentist may have to fix the cavity with a filling.

Contact Us

You should see a dentist every six months to make sure your teeth are healthy, and we are here to provide you with the best care available. Contact the Austin cosmetic dentists at BridgeView Dental by calling 512-347-8299 and schedule your appointment today.