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Tooth Decay, commonly known as Cavity, and medically as Dental Caries, is one of the most common diseases that affect people. Tooth decay treatment is the top reason that takes people to the dentist. It is essentially a disease of the modern world as it is strongly related to the high rate of consumption of sugar as well as other refined carbohydrates.
The tooth structure is made up of enamel on its outermost layer, followed by dentin and other structures underneath, as demonstrated in the diagram above. Tooth decay occurs when the defence provided by these structures is affected. So what causes tooth decay?
Just like in other parts of the body, the mouth contains some bacteria living in it. After consuming sugar or carbohydrate-rich food, the bacteria present in the mouth ‘feeds’ on the sugar by fermenting it. This leads to the production of acid that gradually breaks down the teeth structure. Carbohydrate foods usually do not require much chewing, therefore the soft and sticky particles easily get stuck to the teeth, forming dental plaques.
This, coupled with poor dental hygiene will give room for the bacteria to continue fermentation and production of the acid, leading to non-stop breakdown of the teeth structure.
How then will you know that your tooth is decaying?
The gradual breakdown of the teeth explained above will result in the following changes
White Spots: These are usually the first changes to occur. The white spots appear on the teeth first and could change to yellow or brown after which the area becomes a cavity (hole).
Cavity: This is a hole in the tooth
Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food or liquids
Tooth Pain. The pain is usually a continuous throbbing one
Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease
Redness around or inside the mouth
Facial swelling
NB: the symptoms above may not all appear on the same patient due to differences in severity.
Diagnosis of tooth decay is done by examination of the mouth by a certified dentist. It is possible for you to have some of the symptoms without seeing the decay itself; a dental X-ray will help to confirm the diagnosis.
Here is what you need to know about tooth decay treatment.
Tooth decay usually comes with severe pain making you very uncomfortable. Pain is usually the first thing that you would like to go away. Avoiding extremely hot or cold food and taking some pain relievers will help reduce the pain.
Your dentist will prescribe appropriate ones for you.
In the early stage of tooth decay, treatment with fluoride might be all you need to get better. This can be in form of tubes of toothpaste, mouthwashes, or fluoride medications.
After evaluating you, your dentist will recommend the best ones for you.
If the decay is deep, your teeth will be drilled to remove all the decayed parts and will subsequently be filled with substances like silver or composite resins.
For extensively decayed teeth, the material is put on it to serve as a “cap”. This will replace the natural crown that has decayed.
If your tooth has decayed beyond repair, the best thing to do is to remove it. After removal, a tooth implant will be put to replace the removed tooth.
Here is what you can do to prevent yourself and your loved ones from ever having this painful experience or spending a fortune in tooth decay treatment.
You need to take good care of your teeth to avoid decay and bad breath.
By brushing your teeth after each meal, you tend to reduce the chances of bacteria having food remnants ferment, produce acid and ultimately damage the teeth structure.
This is one of the most effective means of preventing tooth decay.
A good toothbrush matters too. You need a brush with flexible bristles that can bend and reach the hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
To get the best results, take your time and brush for at least two minutes per session. This is considered to be the minimum recommended period.
Toothpaste containing fluoride creates a protective film around the teeth that prevents the mouth acid from causing damage to the teeth. Fluoride is also used for tooth decay treatment.
Meet your dentist or pharmacist to recommend a good toothpaste for you.
Brushing your teeth alone is not complete. You are expected to floss as well on a daily basis or several times a week. Here is a quick guide on how you can floss.
Sometimes, brushing twice or thrice a day might not be enough, and it would not be easy for you to move around with your toothbrush all the time.
Don’t worry, there are mouthwashes available that will do just the trick. You can get them from drug and grocery stores around you. Use them to rinse your mouth regularly.
This is a common mistake many people do. By rinsing too quickly, you wash off the protective film that fluoride creates around your teeth; just spit the excess and leave the rest to do their work.
It is important you visit a dentist every year to have an oral examination that will detect any problem with your teeth.
As earlier explained, bacteria feast on the sugar and other carbohydrate remnants in your mouth. So, when you reduce your intake, you automatically reduce the chances of bacteria producing tooth-destructive acid in your mouth.
Foods like soft drinks are bad for you, and you should avoid constant intake.
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach contain nutrients that are very good for your teeth, gums and body in general.
Chewing the crunchy vegetables also helps to remove dirt from your teeth.
Some medications can cause dryness of the mouth; if you are on such medications, talk to your doctor to see if it can be replaced with other medication.
You can also take sips of water frequently and chew sugarless gum.
Avoid these two as they can reduce saliva production and help in damaging the tooth structures.
Now that you have learnt about tooth decay treatment, causes and prevention, please do not hesitate to share with your family and friends.
We would love to hear your comments after reading this.
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