Why It’s Important to Understand How Tooth Decay Forms

By Arthur Kezian

Tooth decay is a very crucial topic; many people don’t even realize that their teeth have decay until it is too late. Before discussing ways to repair tooth decay, you should understand how and why it starts in the first place.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is basically a cavity that is starting to form. It is caused by a process called demineralization – dissolving of the enamel. Your enamel is made up of many minerals, one of which is calcium. Acids in your mouth dissolve these minerals and start to soften your enamel. This allows bacteria in the mouth to penetrate deeper into your teeth and cause cavities over time. 

How to detect tooth decay:

Many people would expect to have clear forewarning signs when their teeth are deteriorating, but that is not always the case. When your teeth are just starting to form decay, you don’t feel much. It is when further deterioration occurs where you feel some symptoms. These symptoms can be sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, discoloration of your teeth, or in more dramatic cases, throbbing pain. Feeling pain is a sign that the decay has enlarged and must be treated as soon as possible.

Treatment and Prevention Methods:

To treat tooth decay, your dentist will take an X-Ray of the area, and upon taking an X-Ray can decide how far the tooth has deteriorated. If it is possible to save the tooth with a filling, as in the decay has not yet reached the nerve, then a composite filling that matches the shade of your tooth can be put in. The decay is drilled out, the tooth is desensitized, and the filling is placed to stop further decay. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis (at least once every six months) can help prevent big cavities. Your dentist will find and keep an eye on beginning cavities and take action when they start to decay more. This way, you don’t have to worry about the decay reaching the nerve and having to get a root canal instead of a filling.

Another way to prevent cavities is simply by brushing and flossing faithfully. Make it a night-time routine to brush your teeth, floss in between all of them, and even use antibacterial mouthwash that has enamel protection. Now, some people are prone to getting cavities and say that brushing and flossing doesn’t make a difference, that’s wrong; without brushing and flossing you would get twice the amount of cavities. 

Take action against preventing tooth decay and visit your dentist today. Dr. Arthur A. Kezian and his staff are ready to help you do exactly that. Keep your oral hygiene in good hands. Call the office for more information or for a free consultation. It’s a small step that will benefit you immensely.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

Emergency Dentist | Available During Off Hours

By Arthur Kezian 

You will notice that the final teeth that will develop would be your wisdom teeth or the third molars. Yes, you have four wisdom teeth and it comes out at the age of 17-21 years old and can be found at the corner of each mouth.
 Sometimes, the wisdom teeth fail to come out and they often become trapped or impacted in the jawbone area. It is termed “impacted” when it fails to erupt in the dental arch within the expected time. The reason why it fails to come out is that the adjacent teeth, overlying bone, or excessive soft tissue is preventing it to erupt. Some of the abnormal positions of wisdom teeth can be tilted, sideways, lying down or even twisted and these positions can be seen if you have a panoramic x-ray taken. Remember that your wisdom teeth are retained unless it is surgically removed.

Emergency Dentist available 24/7 

Another reason for it to become “impacted” is that because of having inadequate space in your jaw.  Sometimes, you would also experience pain or swollen gums on that area of your jaw. It means that food, bacteria and plaque has started to infect the area. This usually brings about mild to severe pain and infection can be brought about. You may have what they call “Pericoronitis”. Extraction should be performed as soon as your dentist determines that the tooth is impacted or infected.
 A dental surgeon would always advice you to have it remove at a younger age because the removal of impacted teeth becomes more difficult as you age. The reason behind this is that younger patients can tolerate the procedure better and recover more quickly and has less interference with their daily lives. The ideal time for removal of impacted third molars is when the roots of the teeth are one-third formed and before they are two-thirds formed, usually during the late teenage years, between ages 17 and 20.
 Having impacted wisdom teeth which sometimes are in an unusual position and can cause the following:
 Crowding or displacement of the other teeth

• Tooth decay
• Infections
• Gum problems

 The removal of impacted third molars is a surgical procedure that is associated with a large amount of patient anxiety. In addition with this type of surgical procedure, sometimes it can involve unpleasant noises and sensations. As a result, surgeons who would routinely perform the removal of impacted wisdom teeth commonly recommend their patients some type of profound anxiety control such as conscious sedation which includes oral sedation and IM/IV sedation and even general anesthesia as well.  Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” is an option for controlling your dental anxiety as well.
 
Whatever method you and your surgeon would choose, rest assured that you are in good hands. Just make sure that you follow your dentist's pre and post operative instructions and the result of this treatment will be to your utmost comfort. The more you understand about dental procedures, the easier it is to make informed choices about all the available treatments. So if there are any dental questions you would like our thoughts on, please ask Arthur Kezian at any time!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.