Hello World! Welcome Friends! Tooth decay should never be taken lightly. In the simplest of words, it is damage to the tooth which happens when there are decay-causing bacteria in your mouth. It makes the acids attack the enamel of the tooth or its surface. Thus, it can lead to a small hole appearing in the tooth, known as cavity. If left untreated, tooth decay causes infection, pain, and even tooth loss. Anyone can get tooth decay regardless of whether they are a child or a senior adult.
Young children are at a greater risk of experiencing tooth decay which is why it is important for parents to ensure that their kids follow the best oral care practices and take precautions such as regularly visiting a dental practice like Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry (or another local to you). On the other hand, older adults tend to suffer from receding gums which leads to decay-causing bacteria in their mouth to damage the tooth’s root.
Cause of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is caused by decay-causing bacteria coming into contact with starches and sugars from foods and beverages. An acid is formed by such an interaction. The acid attacks the enamel of the tooth which causes it to lose minerals. This happens when you eat or drink items that are rich in starches and sugar. The repeated cycle of acid attacks causes the enamel to continue losing minerals. Thus, the enamel starts to weaken and gets damaged over time and it results in a cavity being formed.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
During the early stages of tooth decay, one would not experience any symptoms. It is only when tooth decay advances that toothache or tooth sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweets is observed. Once the tooth has been infected, a pocket of pus or an abscess can form. It causes a great deal of pain, fever, and even facial swelling.
Diagnosis
Regular dental check-ups help detect tooth decay. During the early stage, it is common for tooth decay to appear as if it is a white spot on your tooth. As the decay progresses, it might appear as a hole in your tooth or as a darker spot. The dentist would check the teeth to see if there is any soft or sticky area. An x-ray might also be taken to check the advancement of the decay. Need a recommended dental clinic? You can care for your smile with the Dentist in West Harwich.
Treatment
Cavities are treated by dentists through fillings. The decayed tooth tissue would be removed by the dentist and the tooth would be restored by filling it using a filling material. If tooth decay is detected early on, there might be no need for you to get a filling and instead, the dentist would simply tell you to follow the below mentioned tips.
If you don’t have a dentist yet and don’t know where to start, you can simply search for terms like “dentist near me Germantown” or “dentist in New York”. Doing so should provide a list of experts that you can reach out to.
Top Tips for Tooth Decay
- Use Fluoride: An important tip that will help prevent tooth decay from advancing is usage of fluoride. It even reverses its effects. Get your daily dose of fluoride by using a fluoride mouthwash, drinking tap water that contains fluoride, and using fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth.
- Visit the Dentist Regularly: Another important tip that will prevent tooth decay and ensure its early detection is visitation to the dentist regularly for check-ups. Getting professional cleaning done every six months plays a huge role in countering the effects of tooth decay and preventing it altogether.
- Eat Right: When it comes to eating, it is crucial that you make smart food choices to ensure that your intake of starches and sugars is limited. Instead, you should limit snacking and opt for nutritious and balanced meals.
- Avoid Tobacco Products: If you are a smoker, you need to quit as it is injurious to your oral health. Even smokeless tobacco contains a small amount of tobacco and should be avoided at all costs. With numerous nicotine replacement products and vape devices such as the Elf bar 600 now available, there is plenty of help out there to assist you to quit smoking.
Facts about Tooth Decay
The following facts about tooth decay will help you learn more about the condition.
- Tooth decay is considered to be one of the most common types of disease. It is second only to the common cold.
- Over one-fourth of children aged two to five in the United States are affected by tooth decay. According to Dentist Fairbanks AK, that’s one of the important reasons to visit a pediatric dentist early and make sure you have a children’s dentist as early as possible.
- Tooth decay causes disability, suffering, and extreme pain.
- Statistics reveal that millions of Americans suffer from tooth decay.
- Tooth decay is preventable, especially where action is taken early on.
- If tooth decay is left untreated for a long period of time, it can even cause death in extreme cases. The infection can spread all the way to the sinus behind your eye which allows it to enter the brain and causes death.
- Acid-producing bacteria causes tooth decay. The infection process puts your health at serious risk.
- A visit to the dentist will help ensure that the decay is detected through a simple test which monitors bacterial activity.
- In order for tooth decay to occur, three factors are needed. They include acid-producing bacteria, susceptible teeth, and a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars.
- Babies are not born with bacteria in their mouths which causes decay. Instead, the decay-causing bacteria are transmitted to them through the saliva of mothers, family members, or caregivers.
- Once fluoride is added into the tooth structure, it helps protect the teeth from decay by making the enamel stronger and more resistant to acid attacks.
- To prevent tooth decay, it is crucial to restrict sugar intake. It is advised that total sugar intake should not exceed 50 grams a day. That is about ten teaspoons of sugars and includes sugars found in other foods.
- A can of soda contains up to 6 teaspoons of sugar. It could be even more in case of energy drinks.
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Toodles,
Tooth decay is a common dental issue caused by the breakdown of tooth enamel due to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. It often results from poor oral hygiene practices, such as infrequent brushing and flossing, as well as a diet high in sugary and acidic foods. Regular dental check-ups, proper oral hygiene, and a balanced diet are essential in preventing and addressing tooth decay, safeguarding overall oral health.