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Certain foods can cause tooth decay. The longer these foods remain on the surface of your teeth, the more acidic your mouth becomes, contributing to cavity formation.
When this happens, tooth decay begins, causing enamel damage as it advances through five stages.
If left untreated, tooth decay will cause significant damage to your teeth and gums, necessitating either a root canal or tooth extraction.
Continue reading to learn more about tooth decay, how it develops, and how it can be treated.
What is Tooth Decay?
Cavities are permanently damaged portions of your teeth's hard surface that evolve into tiny gaps or holes.
Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are caused by a number of reasons, including germs in your mouth, frequent snacking, drinking sugary drinks, and failing to properly clean your teeth.
Cavities and tooth decay are among the most common health issues in the globe.
They are most prevalent among children, teenagers, and the elderly. Cavities, however, can affect anyone who has teeth, including infants.
Cavities become larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth if they are not addressed.
They can cause severe dental pain, infection, and tooth loss. Your best defence against cavities and tooth decay is regular dental appointments and proper brushing and flossing habits.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
If you suspect that you have tooth decay, there are a few warning signs you should be aware of.
Tooth decay symptoms include:
- Stains on the teeth's surface. They might be white or brown in colour.
- You may notice a cavity in your tooth.
- When you eat anything sweet, cold, or spicy, you may experience sensitivity.
- Tooth pain (also known as toothache)
- Due to infection, you may get a temperature as well as facial oedema.
Stages of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a progressive disease that, if left unchecked, can lead to serious damage to your teeth and gums.
The good news is that tooth decay is preventable and, with early detection, reversible.
There are four stages of tooth decay: enamel loss, dentin loss, root damage, and tooth loss.
1. Decay of Enamel
If you let your enamel deteriorate further, the white spots will turn dark. You've now reached the second stage of dental decay when the enamel begins to disintegrate and cavities form.
To keep your cavities from getting worse, you'll need to obtain tooth fillings. The rotten components of the tooth will be removed by your dentist, and the hole will be filled with resin, gold, silver amalgam, or ceramic.
2. Dentin Decay
If you don't fill your cavities on time, your dentin may suffer as well. Dentin is the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel. It is substantially more sensitive to acid damage since it is softer than enamel.
If you don't see a dentist soon, tooth decay will accelerate. When you experience acute tooth sensitivity while consuming hot or cold drinks, especially sweet drinks, or while eating, you are in the third stage of dental decay.
Dentin decay can be repaired with a filling if detected early. If your tooth has sustained significant damage, your dentist will most likely remove the rotting section and place a crown over the remaining dental structure.
3. Damaged Pulp
The pulp is the layer of tissue that lies beneath the dentin. It is located at the bottom of your tooth and contains blood vessels and nerves that support and provide sensation to the tooth.
Once tooth decay has reached the pulp, your tooth may enlarge. Because your tooth cannot expand with the pulp, pressure will build up, causing pain. Pulp death, also known as pulp necrosis, is the final stage of pulp injury.
4. Abscess Development
Bacteria get within the decaying pulp in this stage of tooth decay, which usually leads to infection. An abscess at the bottom of your tooth may eventually form, producing extreme pain that can extend to the rest of your mouth, gums, cheek, and jaw.
If a root canal doesn't work, you'll probably need to have the tooth extracted to prevent the infection from spreading to the bones in your jaw or other parts of your skull. Antibiotics may also be required to kill the bacterium.
Causes of Tooth Decay
There are many different causes of tooth decay. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, plaque builds up on your teeth.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that eat away at the enamel on your teeth.
Other causes of tooth decay include:
Eating sugary or starchy foods
The sugars and starches in these foods are turned into acids by the bacteria in plaque. These acids attack the enamel on your teeth.
Drinking sugary drinks
Sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices are all high in sugar. Drinking them can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Dry mouth
Saliva helps protect your teeth from decay by washing away food and neutralizing the acids produced by plaque bacteria.
If you have a dry mouth, there is less saliva available to do this job. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay.
Cigarettes & Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products also increases the risk of tooth decay.
Treatment Options for Tooth Decay
There are a few different ways to treat tooth decay, depending on how severe it is. For mild cases of tooth decay, a fluoride treatment may be all that is needed to help remineralise the enamel and prevent further damage.
If the decay has progressed to the point where there is a cavity, your dentist will likely need to fill the cavity with either a composite filling or an amalgam filling.
More severe cases of tooth decay may require more extensive treatment, such as a crown or root canal.
A crown is used to cover and protect a damaged tooth, while a root canal is necessary when the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth.
In both cases, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your teeth.
Prevention Tips for Avoiding Tooth Decay
There are a few things you can do to prevent tooth decay:
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
Rinsing and flossing after eating anything sticky, acidic, or heavy in carbs, especially chocolate and citrus fruits.
Use interdental cleaners and floss to remove as much food debris as possible. Use fluoride mouthwash at least once daily to kill plaque.
Inquire with your dentist about having dental sealants to prevent your molars from decay.
Fluoride water consumption
Visiting your dentist at least once a year for routine checkups and teeth cleanings.
If you have cavities, your dentist will recommend treatment options depending on the severity of the decay. Treatment options may include fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Alternatives to Traditional Treatment for Tooth Decay
There are a few different ways to treat tooth decay, and your dentist will likely recommend the best option for you based on the severity of your decay.
For less severe cases of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants.
These treatments can help to prevent further decay by strengthening the enamel on your teeth and making it more resistant to acid attacks.
For more severe cases of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend a root canal procedure. This involves removing the diseased tissue from inside the tooth and then filling and sealing the tooth.
This can help to save the tooth from further damage and infection.
Conclusion
Tooth decay is a common and serious problem that can cause pain, discomfort, and long-term damage to your teeth. Knowing the stages of tooth decay will help you recognize when to seek treatment from your dentist.
Brushing twice daily and flossing regularly are essential practices for preventing enamel loss and protecting against additional damage caused by cavities or root decay.
Taking increased care of your dental hygiene today can go a long way in preserving the health of your teeth tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in your mouth.
The acids can cause the minerals in your teeth to dissolve, leading to cavities or holes in your teeth.
What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, sugary and starchy foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene habits.
When these factors come together, they can cause the acids to attack your teeth and lead to decay.
How to stop tooth decay from spreading?
To stop tooth decay from spreading, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
They may recommend a filling, crown, or other treatment to restore the tooth and prevent further decay.
You should also improve your oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash.
How to stop tooth decay?
To stop tooth decay, you should practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash.
You should also limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods and drinks and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
Can tooth decay be reversed?
Tooth decay cannot be reversed once the damage has been done to the tooth structure.
However, the progression of tooth decay can be stopped or slowed down by practising good oral hygiene habits and getting regular dental check-ups.
How does tooth decay occur?
Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria in the mouth attack the minerals in the tooth enamel. Over time, the enamel can break down and form a cavity or hole in the tooth.
How to get rid of tooth decay?
To get rid of tooth decay, you should visit your dentist for a filling, crown, or other treatment to restore the tooth and prevent further decay.
In some cases, a root canal or tooth extraction may be necessary.
What causes tooth decay at the gum line?
Tooth decay at the gum line is usually caused by poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing or flossing properly.
It can also be caused by a diet high in sugary and starchy foods and drinks.
What causes tooth decay in children?
Tooth decay in children is caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, sugary and starchy foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene habits.
It can also be caused by prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle.
What causes tooth decay in infants?
Tooth decay in infants is usually caused by prolonged use of a bottle filled with sugary or starchy liquids, such as juice or formula, especially at bedtime or naptime.
What causes tooth decay in toddlers?
Tooth decay in toddlers is usually caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, sugary and starchy foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene habits.
It can also be caused by prolonged use of a sippy cup filled with sugary or starchy liquids.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay?
The symptoms of tooth decay can include tooth sensitivity, pain when biting or chewing, visible holes or pits in the teeth, and dark spots or stains on the teeth.
What are the stages of tooth decay?
The stages of tooth decay include demineralization, enamel decay, dentin decay, and pulp decay. Demineralization is the earliest stage of tooth decay, where the minerals in the tooth enamel begin to break down.
Enamel decay is the next stage, where the decay has progressed to the point where a cavity or hole has formed in the tooth enamel. Dentin decay is the stage where the decay has progressed beyond the enamel and into the softer dentin layer of the tooth.
Pulp decay is the most advanced stage, where the decay has reached the pulp or nerve of the tooth, causing pain and possible infection. It's important to catch tooth decay early and get treatment before it progresses to more severe stages.
