Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases, affecting people all across the world. As we all know, a stitch in time saves nine. Similarly, tooth decay, when diagnosed at the right time, can be completely reversible. If the diagnosis is made at the initial stage of tooth decay, the tooth can be restored without much discomfort. On the other hand, if the warning signals of the body are taken lightly, the minor decay may end up in a broken-down tooth, an abscess or other serious consequences.

There are few very simple steps that need to be followed while diagnosing tooth decay. They are as follows:-

  • Routine dental check-up: It is always better to take preventive measures than go for treatment. One of the simplest preventive measures is to go for routine dental check-ups once every six months. Professional care is safe and better for those who find it difficult to spare some time for their personal care.
  • White spots: You can check yourself whether your teeth have any decay or not. Check for the presence of any whitish spots on your teeth. Make sure that they have appeared recently, and were not there from the very beginning. Some individuals have white spots all over their teeth due to a disorder called fluorosis. White spots are the areas where the process of demineralization has already been initiated. These white spots can get reversed back to the normal tooth structure by the process of remineralization.
  • Discoloration: Open your mouth in front of a mirror, and observe closely whether your teeth have any dark discolorations or not. You must make sure that they are not tobacco stains or any other type of external stains. If you notice any such change, you need to speak about it to your dentist, who will check your teeth thoroughly to rule out the presence of any dental decay.
  • Cavities: When you check your teeth, see if there is any sort of hole or cavity on your tooth. If you find one, you must never ignore it. Get it filled as early as possible. Cavities can be painless or painful. Painless cavities are easier to manage.
  • Sensitivity: If you have experienced any type of sensitivity in your teeth, you should be a little cautious, as this may be an early sign of dental decay. When there is a breach in the outer layer of the tooth (enamel), the inner layers are exposed, which are quite near to the nerves and blood vessels. This may lead to tooth sensitivity.
  • Pain: If you experience pain while chewing food, it is quite possible that you have dental decay. Pain in a tooth is usually an end result of dental decay. This happens when treatment is not sought in the initial stages and the dental decay proceeds to the deeper layers of the tooth.

If you find that any of these symptoms mentioned above are bothering you, you need to inform your dentist about it and get the necessary treatment done before things get worse.

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.