Early Tooth Decay

Looking for help preventing early stage brown tooth decay? Call Preventive Dental today on 020 8874 3877

Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there!

Icon can be used to perform treatment before a hole even develops.

  • No drilling, no needles
  • The tooth substance is maintained
  • Just one treatment

What is early decay?

Early decay is also known as the initial stage of tooth decay. It is when the enamel, the outer layer of your tooth, begins to lose minerals due to acids produced by plaque bacteria.

At this point, you might see white spots on the teeth, but no cavity has formed yet. It is a crucial stage where, with the right care like fluoride and better oral hygiene, the damage can often be reversed without drilling or fillings.

What are early signs of tooth decay?

The early stages of tooth decay often appear as white or brown spots on the enamel, signalling mineral loss before a cavity forms. You might also notice mild sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods during the tooth decay early stages, even if there is no visible hole yet.

Do you find it difficult to clean the interdental spaces?

white-teethDecay often occurs in areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can only reach with difficulty. Initially, we don’t even notice this ourselves. Pain only occurs when decay has already become established deep within the tooth. Before this happens, it can only be detected by a thorough dental examination e.g. using an X-ray. Children, teenagers and young adults most often find their teeth affected.

 

Tooth retention is important…

During a check-up, when a dentist finds areas where the enamel has been damaged, they must consider whether it might be possible to repair the mineral loss through consistent and careful oral hygiene, or whether a filling is necessary.

Up until now, a truly satisfying solution was not available in borderline cases: by waiting, we risk damaging the enamel even further. However, even with conventional treatment of decay (fillings) is not ideal at this early stage as drilling also always damages tooth substance.

 

How to fix early tooth decay

With Icon® it couldn’t be easier!

white-spots-removalThe infiltration method is ideal for initial decay as the healthy tooth substance is maintained.

A particular benefit of the Icon method is that it can also be used in the case of milk teeth – so that children do not become afraid of the dentist and drill in the first place.

What are some early tooth decay symptoms?

  • White or brown spots on the surface of the teeth
  • Mild sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods and drinks
  • A dull ache when biting or chewing
  • Bad breath that does not go away with brushing
  • A rough or chalky texture on the tooth enamel
  • Discomfort when eating sugary foods
  • Slight discolouration or darkening of a tooth without pain

Can early signs of tooth decay be reversed?

Yes, early signs of tooth decay can often be reversed if caught in time before a cavity develops. Remineralising treatments like fluoride applications and improved oral hygiene can help restore enamel strength. Acting early gives your teeth the best chance to heal naturally without the need for fillings.

Do you offer treatment for early tooth decay near me?

Yes, we offer early tooth decay treatment at Preventive Dental in Southfields. Our practice has lots of parking nearby, is on bus routes and is only a short walk from the local train station. This makes us easily accessible for patients from Tooting, Wandsworth, Wimbledon and beyond.

We use modern and minimally invasive techniques to stop decay in its early stages and to protect your natural teeth. Get in touch today to book a consultation and take the first step towards a healthier smile.

Courtesy of the British Dental Health Foundation – www.dentalhealth.org