Tooth decay: what is it?
Damage to a tooth’s enamel is known as tooth decay. This may occur when dangerous oral bacteria produce acids that damage the surface of your teeth. Cavities are tiny holes in teeth caused by these microorganisms weakening the tooth’s dentin and enamel. If treatment is not received, this may result in infection or tooth loss.
Little to no symptoms are present in early stages of tooth decay, but as it worsens, toothaches and sensitivity to sweets, food temperature, and liquid intake may occur. An abscess, or pocket of pus, may develop if the tooth is infected. This abscess results in face edema, fever, and pain.
Reasons for Dental Decay
Tooth decay is caused by a mix of microorganisms and the foods and beverages you eat and drink. Plaque is a transparent, sticky material that constantly builds up on your teeth. The bacteria that live in plaque consume the carbohydrates found in meals and drink.
The tooth’s enamel is attacked by the acid the bacteria produce, which causes it to lose its minerals. For instance, drinking carbonated beverages can expose your teeth to acid on a regular basis, which further erodes the enamel’s mineral content.
In order for nutritious foods to remove the acids from your teeth, it is important to eat sugary foods and beverages with other meals. Toffee and other foods that adhere to teeth might raise your risk of tooth decay.
Factors at Risk for Tooth Decay
Tooth decay may affect everyone who has teeth. You have some influence over certain circumstances, but not over others.
Using fluoride toothpaste, avoiding tobacco products, limiting sugary meals and alcohol, and maintaining proper dental hygiene are all things you can manage.
You have no control over things like age, utilizing medications that include sugar, and respiratory disorders like asthma that cause dry mouth.
When a youngster is put to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula, they run the risk of developing baby bottle dental decay. Tooth decay-causing bacteria are fed by the sugar in these beverages.
Identifying and Preventing Dental Decay
A white spot on the tooth might indicate early tooth decay detection. A black patch or hole in the tooth may indicate more severe dental decay.
In addition to using X-rays to find decay, your dentist could also examine whether a sensitive tooth is sticky or mushy.
Oral health is improved by brushing and flossing twice a day and using mouthwash once a day. Maintaining the health of your teeth requires routine dental examinations. In order to prevent tooth decay, hygienists clean all of the plaque from your teeth. In order to cure decay before it becomes worse, they can also identify its symptoms.
Children’s molars and premolars are coated with a thin layer called a dental sealant. The greatest method for preventing cavities in children’s teeth is a painless technique that also makes cleaning them simpler.
Plaque may be scraped off teeth by raw veggies. Dairy products include calcium, which can help fight off dangerous germs and strengthen teeth. Sugar-free chewing gum can help wash away food residue by removing food particles and causing saliva to be produced.
Treatment for Tooth Decay
You can use a technique that aids in the healing of a tiny area of enamel erosion. A medicated mouthwash or toothpaste with high fluoride and calcium content may be part of this therapy.
A filling is used to fix a minor cavity, while an inlay, onlay, or even a crown may be necessary to preserve the structure and restore function of a larger cavity.
A root canal procedure must be performed in order to preserve the tooth that has an abscess. The chamber is sealed when the infection has been eliminated, and a crown is usually used to reconstruct the tooth.
You will need to have the tooth extracted if it cannot be salvaged. Your dentist can assist you in selecting an appropriate tooth replacement solution and will only do this as a last resort.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene and seeing your dentist twice a year for a dental examination and expert teeth cleaning will help prevent tooth decay.
Susan Louisa. “How to determine your tooth decay risk.” Enthusiastic,