TOOTH DECAY AND ORAL HYGIENE

Tooth decay is the softening of the tooth enamel and refers to the damage of the structure of the tooth caused by acids that are created when plaque bacteria break down sugar in the mouth. If loss of mineral from the enamel is left untreated, it forms a cavity, or hole in the tooth. Without treatment, these holes grow larger over time and may destroy the whole tooth.  

Plaque acids can also eat away at the next layer of the tooth (dentin) and eventually cause what is known as a root cavity. As a result, nerves in the teeth become exposed and one may feel pain when eating or drinking. When one feels pain near the root of the tooth, chances are you may have some form of tooth decay and should consult with a dental professional.  

Good teeth care  is an important part of maintaining overall health and wellness. A dental cavity is one of the most common results of tooth decay and could be a sign of poor oral health and hygiene. 

CAUSES OF CAVITIES AND TOOTH DECAY

Major causes of tooth decay are sugary, sticky foods and beverages. The more sugar consumed, the more acid, which gets produced leading to decay. Sugar combines with plaque to weaken the enamel leaving you vulnerable to tooth decay. Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are vulnerable to damage from the acids for the next 20 minutes. It is important to understand the causes of tooth decay so you can learn the proper way to care for your teeth and care for your health. Cavity and tooth decay factors to watch out for:

·         Poor Oral Hygiene:  Not brushing your teeth regularly allows plaque to build up and attack the tooth enamel. 

·         Plaque Formation:  Plaque is caused when bacteria, acid, food particles, and saliva all combine in your mouth. This plaque adheres to your teeth and builds up over time. The acid in plaque attacks the enamel of your tooth and eventually can cause holes in your teeth, otherwise known as cavities. 

·         Dry Mouth:  Saliva helps wash plaque from the teeth. If you have a dry mouth with very little saliva, plaque may build up more quickly. 

·         Eating and Drinking:  This is where it all begins. Since we all have to eat and drink to live, there’s no way to avoid this, but it does play a significant role in the formation of cavities. When you eat or drink, carbohydrates remain on your teeth until you brush. Even after brushing, you may not be able to remove all food particles or carbohydrates from your teeth. Foods that tend to cling to your teeth can increase your risk for a tooth cavity. Be sure to brush your teeth regularly, especially after drinking milk or soda, or after eating dried fruit, dry cereal, hard candy, caramel, taffy, raisins, sugary cereals, cookies and breath mints. 

·         Bacteria and Acid:  While most people don’t like to think about it, bacteria naturally live in your mouth. When these bacteria digest the carbohydrates that linger on your teeth and in your mouth, acid forms. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

As tooth decay progresses, cavity symptoms start to appear. If you notice any of these common cavity symptoms, see your dentist:

·         Pain: A toothache is one of the most common cavity symptoms. 

·         Pressure: Both increased tooth sensitivity and pain when biting down can indicate a cavity. 

·         Pits: Cavity symptoms may include a noticeable hole or pit in the affected tooth. Sometimes the holes are only visible on a dental x-ray. 

·         Pus:  One of the more serious and obvious cavity symptoms is pus around a tooth.  

·         Toothache: This is a sign that something is wrong, this could range from cavity forming or a bacterial growth.

PREVENTION:

Prevention is the best way to avoid a cavity. The first step in preventing a dental cavity is by keeping a good oral hygiene routine. While there are many options for oral hygiene these days, here is a basic checklist of core items you’ll need to incorporate into your daily routine to help prevent a dental cavity.

·         Toothbrush: Everyone knows you need a toothbrush, but very few care if the toothbrush actually gets to every corner of their teeth. Some brushes are curvy, some are straight, find one that best gets to clean you more evenly.

·         Toothpaste: This is a critical component of your oral hygiene routine. Get dentist recommended toothpaste.

·         Dental Floss: Flossing on a regular basis is very important. By removing food particles from your teeth, flossing can help prevent dental cavities.

·         Mouthwash: Mouthwash is often the final step. Mouth wash leaves your mouth feeling clean and your breath fresh, it kills the bacteria that can cause plaque and gingivitis.

ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINE

·         Brush more often: Just because your dentist says to brush twice a day doesn’t mean you have to stop there. One great way to prevent the formation of plaque that causes cavities is to brush after every meal or snack. This is the golden rule of oral hygiene. Brushing after you eat or drink with a fluoride-based toothpaste can help keep your teeth clean and free of plaque that leads to tooth decay and cavities.  

·         Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks: Candy, sodas and other sugary foods contain sugars that help plaque-forming bacteria survive in your mouth. In addition, sugary foods or candies that stay in your mouth for longer periods of time can also have a greater impact in the formation of plaque and tooth decay. If you do indulge, brush your teeth after eating to help prevent the progression of tooth decay. 

·         Floss and Rinse daily: While good brushing is critical, it won’t necessarily do the job alone. Flossing removes the food particles that get lodged in between your teeth and slowly cause plaque build-up that leads to cavities. 

·         Visit Your Dentist: No matter how diligent you are about your daily oral hygiene routine, see a professional twice a year for routine cleanings and examinations.

TREATMENT

The most basic form to treat cavity is filling. This is done by drilling the decayed portion of the tooth and replacing it with a strong filling made of either composite resins, porcelain, silver, gold, or amalgam. Treatment for more extensive cavities includes advanced techniques such as crowns and root canals. Fillings will stop the cavity from growing any larger.

FINAL THOUGHT

In order to keep your mouth healthy throughout your life, learn what causes a cavity, what a cavity is and the impact even a single cavity can have on your long-term oral health.