What to Do When Your Teeth Begin to Rot

Featured Image Caption: Dentist And Patient During Dental Implant

Your teeth and the overall health of the inside of your mouth should be of great interest and priority to you, no matter who you are. Once becoming an adult, you only have one set of teeth to work with, so it’s very important that you do what you can to keep them in working order and in your mouth. Even if you go to great lengths to protect your teeth, rot can still happen as you get older and older. If you think that you might have cavities or internal rot that are affecting your teeth, then it is already well past the time to take a look at some of the ways that you can restore your smile and oral health.

Schedule Your First Checkup

The first thing that you should do if you believe that you have any issues with your teeth or gums, minor or major, is to schedule an initial checkup with your dentist. While every patient has slightly different needs, most experts agree that the average individual should schedule a checkup at least once every six months or sooner if they ever suspect that any health issues are taking place. Often, this can mean the difference between a minor problem or a major problem, as whatever might be wrong hasn’t had the time to do much damage. During your appointment, your dentist will be able to take a closer look at the potential health complication and determine the best course of action in order to help you.

Initial Procedures

During your checkup, your dentist may indeed find something wrong in your mouth. As long as the damage is caught early on, there’s still a chance your dentist might be able to carry out a smaller procedure or two in order to address the complication. This could include a wide variety of treatments ranging from a simple filling to a dental crown that protects the exposed interior of the tooth. If the interior of the tooth is what’s damaged, then they might suggest a root canal in order to remove the diseased pulp and restore the strength of the tooth.

Restoring Your Smile

Unfortunately, many people don’t catch tooth rot early on enough to completely get rid of it, and that means the diseased material is going to have time to spread. While root canals are incredibly effective, they aren’t always a good option if the structure of the tooth has already been compromised. For severe damage, the dentist will most likely suggest extracting the damaged tooth or teeth and replacing them with dental implants. The false teeth are fastened to the interior of the jaw, and they can last a lifetime with the proper care and attention you’re supposed to give all your teeth.

Preventing Future Problems

Once the tooth rot has been addressed properly, it is absolutely vital that you continue to protect your teeth and gums the best that you can. That includes regular and consistent brushing, flossing, and using a high-quality mouthwash at least two times a day to keep the bacteria at bay. It’s also a good idea to schedule follow-up appointments with the dentist so that they can keep a close eye on your dental health.

Each patient only gets one set of adult teeth in their lifetime, and that means that it is incredibly important that you do everything in your power to protect the ones you have. That’s why scheduling regular appointments with your dentist and following strict oral hygiene habits at home will ensure that you enjoy a bright and beautiful smile for many years to come.