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One of the most common causes of missing teeth is actually tooth decay. Tooth decay is dangerous because it can actually corrupt a tooth to the point where the only solution left available to you will be to have that tooth removed. Now, many people believe that, once a decayed tooth is removed, that will be the last they see of the dangerous condition. However, what these people don’t realize is that missing teeth can actually increase your chances of developing tooth decay. This is because the teeth surrounding the missing tooth can actually begin to lean into these empty spots, falling into positions that can make them hard to keep clean. And, as we know, failing to keep your teeth properly maintained can lead to tooth decay.
If you currently reside in the Waterloo, ON area and have recently lost a tooth, it is important that you consider restoring that tooth with a dental implant from Dr. K. Ashraf as soon as possible. By treating the problem early, you can drastically lower your chances of developing tooth decay. We encourage you to read more of this page in order to find out more about tooth decay and how it works against your smile.
Protect Your Smile with Dental Implants
From a young age, we are taught that tooth decay is the result of eating too much candy and sugar. However, this is a very simplified explanation for the condition. The actual cause of tooth decay is bacteria, which is attracted to your teeth by the sugar you have consumed. This bacteria uses sugar as a fuel to create acids, which will proceed to eat away at the defenses of your tooth. After enough time, these acids will burn through the inner layers of your teeth, resulting in pain and discomfort. Read more about the layers of a tooth below.
The most common result of tooth decay is a cavity. Cavities form when tooth decay manages to get past the enamel of your teeth and they must be treated with dental fillings. However, if tooth decay manages to reach the pulp of your tooth, you will need a root canal in addition to a dental filling. Should tooth decay do too much damage to one of your teeth, that tooth will need to be removed in order to prevent the condition from spreading.
The Anatomy of a Tooth
When it comes to teeth, most people are only aware of the two major parts that compose them: the root and the crown. However, our teeth are actually made up of layers of four different tissues. These tissues include:
- Enamel: The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth and also has the distinction of being the hardest substance in your body. Enamel is a highly mineralized tissue which purpose is to protect the inner layers of your teeth from harm.
- Dentin: Another highly mineralized tissue that works to keep your teeth safe is the dentin. What sets dentin apart from enamel is the fact that it works to distribute nutrition throughout your teeth in addition to the protection it offers.
- Cementum: While cementum isn’t as strong as dentin or enamel, it is still strong enough to protect the roots of your teeth from harm while also anchoring them in place on your jawbone.
- Pulp: The final layer of tissue that makes up your teeth is the pulp. The pulp is comprised of connective tissue, nerve tissue, lymph and blood vessels, and odontoblasts. Should the pulp be exposed, you will experience undue sensitivity and pain.
Protect Your Smile with Dental Implants
Should you happen to lose a tooth because of tooth decay and reside in the Waterloo, ON area, we encourage you to consider replacing that tooth with a dental implant. Dental implants provide beautiful, natural-looking replacement teeth that are supported by titanium tooth roots. If you would like to learn more about the effects of tooth decay and how dental implants can help prevent further damage by the dangerous condition, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with dental implant provider Dr. K. Ashraf today.