You’d schedule a dental appointment if you have a chronic toothache, probably suspecting a cavity. However, do toothache-free mouths signal cavity-free teeth? Not necessarily, and here’s why.
Decayed teeth may or may not cause a toothache, depending on the location and depth of the decay. For example, if the cavity is in the tooth enamel – the outer layer of the tooth – you probably wouldn’t feel a thing. It’s only after the decay continues through the enamel to the the dentin – the softer, mid-layer of the tooth that lies between the enamel and the pulp – that you will start feeling the telltale toothache throb.
Catching the decay while it is on the enamel layer of your tooth in the dentin usually ensures that any damage can be repaired, and your tooth can be saved. However, once the decay makes its way into the never-filled pulp at the center of the tooth, the situation gets more complicated. Depending on the degree of decay, you may need to undergo a root canal to save the tooth. If the degree is large, the tooth may need to be extracted.
Saving yourself unnecessary discomfort, aggravation and money at the dentist can be as easy as following a consistent routine of flossing daily, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and seeing your dentist regularly for a thorough cleaning and oral examination. In many cases, we can see what you can’t yet feel, and can recommend treatment plans that will address small dental issues before they become big, uncomfortable problems.
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Dr. Librada C. Yamat is a Family Dentist specializing in Cosmetic Dentistry. She has been practicing since 1992 in her Daly City office located at 187 Southgate Ave. (650) 991-2832. She is president of the MCU Dental Alumni Association and former president of the American Federation of Filipino Dental Practitioners.
