How our dentist in Birmingham can help stop decay

Tooth decay is really common, with thousands and thousands of people across the country having to have treatments for it every year. Although traditionally it can be really embarrassing to admit to having an issue with dental decay, we at Sohal Dental Practice want to reassure and help patients understand that sometimes these things just happen. It’s not necessarily a major reflection on you, your cleanliness or overall dental hygiene or health. Here’s how our dentist in Birmingham can help with your dental decay worries.

Why does decay happen?

Dental decay for most patients happens when the tooth has been infected with bad bacteria and germs; that then get through to the root and begin to wear away at the foundation. This usually happens when patients can’t get to a particular area when brushing. Which is why it’s so important to both floss and brush. When the decay happens the tooth starts to discolour which isn’t always noticeable to the human eye, and is why it’s so important for us to be able to take X-rays when you come into the practice for your check-ups.

How is decay treated?

For most tooth decay our dentist in Birmingham will need to carry out some type of filling, the size of this filling will greatly depend on how much decay has occurred. For basic fillings we will numb the area with a local anaesthetic and then drill out the decay and make sure the area is extremely clean. Much like mould, if even the tiniest bit is left it will start to grow again and cause further issues, so cleaning is very, very important. Once the area is cleaned it will be filled with whichever substance you have chosen. There are a wide variety of filling options all varying in visibility and price. You can talk through which options are best for you when you come in for your appointment with our dentist in Birmingham.

Preventing decay

With decay prevention the most important thing is that you are practising good oral hygiene daily. Good oral hygiene isn’t as simple as just brushing your teeth. You should be combining twice daily brushes with the use of dental floss, interdental brushes, good quality toothpaste, and regular dental check-ups. You can also add tongue scraping, mouthwash and regular hygienist appointments as extra ways to keep your oral health in tip-top condition.

Signs of decay

If you are suddenly experiencing a dull toothache, sharp pain from hot or cold drinks, bad breath, bleeding gums, swelling around the gums, a funny taste in your mouth or wobbly teeth it could be that you are experiencing signs of decay and should book in to see the team at our dental practice as soon as you can. The sooner tooth decay is caught the more likely you are to make a full recovery without the need for more serious treatments such as the removal of teeth.

If you have any questions on tooth decay do not hesitate to contact the surgery.