How to fix rotting teeth?

Can you combat tooth decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure.?

Having an excellent oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily can keep your smile fresh and your teeth looking white and healthy. However, neglecting this dental routine can contribute to serious issues such as rotting teeth. 

Tooth decay is when plaqueA soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives. can spread in the teeth and cause decay. The bacteria in plaque combine with sugar from foods and this destroys the enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth. of the tooth causes cavities and allowing bacteria to grow inside the tooth which decays the rootThe anatomic portion of the tooth that is covered by cementum and is located in the alveolus (socket) where it is attached by the periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of tooth. and could cause the tooth to fall out. Fortunately, there are methods of treating rotten teeth, however, they do become more serious, the longer the tooth is left without seeing a professional.

In the early stages, your dentist will recommend a fluoride treatment to manage a tooth which has a small cavityDecay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.. This could remineralize the tooth and strengthen the cavity and reverse the process of tooth loss. This is only effective with very small cavities.

If spots have started to appear on the tooth, in black or white, it is too late for a fluoride treatment and a fillingA lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, or porcelain. may be required. The dentist will clean the tooth and remove the plaque and bacteria, before adding a white or amalgamSingle surface silver filling. filling. In some cases, a crownSimple crown procedure utilizing a porcelain crown fused to non-precious metal and not involving complicated prep. may be needed if the decay is particularly bad. 
For very advanced tooth decay and rot, then a root canal may be necessary to remove the infection or more problematically, the tooth may need to be extracted and replace the tooth with a dentureAn artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent tissues. or implantA device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone.

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