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Tooth decay can get very painful if not attended to on time, and it is likely to cause tooth loss if left for a long time. It is known to be one of the commonest diseases in most developed countries. There is a need to treat tooth decay as soon as it is diagnosed, because it is cheaper to treat earlier, and if it is allowed to progress it could end up very expensive and complicated.
There are various common measures and treatments for tooth decay that have been recommended depending on how severe it is. They include:

  • Many people develop fear or get nervous on the thought of visiting a dentist. However, regular visits to the dentist at least every six months are strongly advised. By doing this tooth decay can easily be prevented, or treated at early stage which has an advantage of saving on cost as well as suffering.
  • For decay that has just been diagnosed, and has formed a cavity, a filling may be necessary to fill up the hole. This will help in taking the tooth back to its original shape and function.
  • Good oral hygiene, which is achieved through proper brushing and flossing, is key. It is advisable to brush at least twice a day, and rinse the mouth at least after each meal. In the early stages of a tooth decay, dentists may advise on the use fluoride to prevent it developing into a cavity that needs treated.
  • Eating healthily is another method of preventing tooth decay. Avoid frequent consumption of snacks, and instead take foods that have minerals, like cheese, vegetables and fruits. these will help in building strong teeth.
  • In a case where a tooth is extensively damaged by decay, normal large fillings may not be recommended as they may be too weak.. Instead crowns may be used to treat the decayed area, as these are much stronger.
  • In very extreme cases where tooth decay has caused damage to the nerves, a root canal treatment is essential if the tooth is to be saved. The decayed part is removed and the whole length of the root canal cleaned out and sealed with a material that will prevent the inner parts being affected, and then the top part of the tooth is filled in.
  • Another bad scenario is when a tooth has completely been so damaged that there is not enough structure left to save it. There is no other better option for this than just tooth extraction. Later on you could choose to have a dental implant to fill up the space left.

Many options for treatment of tooth decay have been made possible by the study of dental health care. Again, it is also very important that we follow our dentist’s instructions regarding proper dental care if we want to want to prevent our teeth from decaying in the first place, which is by far the best option.
Contact a dentist or dental hygienist at Water Brook Dental in Washington DC for a dental check-up and other dental needs. Water Brook Dental has two locations in Washington DC. The Columbia Heights location is very  conveniently located to Downtown DC, Northeast DC, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U-Street Corridor, Mount Pleasant and many other parts of Washington. The Eastern Ave NW location is conveniently located to Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park MD, Silver Spring MD, Colesville, and other parts of Maryland as well as Northern Virginia and other parts of Virginia.