What Happens to Decay on a Tooth When It Is Not Removed?

The biggest enemy of your teeth is something called decay. Decay occurs when acids begin eating away at the enamel on your teeth, and this is one of the main things that can destroy teeth. If your dentist finds decay, he or she will want to remove it and place a filling in the tooth. If you decide not to listen to the dentist's recommendations, here is what will happen to the tooth that has a cavity.

The Decay Will Spread

One important thing to realize about decay is that it likes to spread. Once acid eats a tooth and decay begins to form and destroy a tooth's surface, it will continue to cause destruction to the tooth. It takes time for this to happen, and good oral habits might prolong the decay from spreading quickly, but it will eventually spread. It can spread over more of the surface of the tooth, or it can work its way into the tooth.

It Finds Its Way into the Tooth

Decay that begins spreading downwards into a tooth is something that you will want to avoid. When this occurs, the decay can end up inside the roots of your teeth. These roots are there to provide nerve functions to the teeth. The nerves help you feel hot and cold sensations with your teeth; however, bacteria from the decay can cause infections in these roots.

You Could Need a Root Canal

An infection in the roots of your tooth can cause extreme pain, and one of the only ways to relieve this pain is by taking an antibiotic to kill the infection. After this occurs, your dentist will most likely recommend a root canal. A root canal is used to remove infected roots from teeth. When this is done, the nerve functions to the tooth will no longer work; however, teeth can survive without nerves running to them.

If you compare the procedure between getting a cavity filled and getting a root canal done, there are major differences. Root canals are more time-consuming and painful, and they often require two visits. Root canals are also more expensive, and they typically require removing more of a tooth's surface than when a standard filling is done.

Leaving decay in a tooth is not a good idea unless you really enjoy dentistry work. If you would like to get your cavity removed and filled, schedule an appointment with a dentist like Kaimuki Dental Group LLP.