Understanding the causes of tooth decay

Poor oral health can ruin your confidence. Someone with a bad mouth odor and brown teeth may not smile confidently in public or in photographs. And things get worse when chewing becomes excruciatingly painful. All of these can result from tooth decay.

What is the dental caries?

You have cavities when a hole (cavity) forms in your tooth. Tooth decay is also commonly known as cavity.

About 80% of bad breath results from oral problems such as tooth decay.

What causes tooth decay?

Bacteria are always present in the mouth and form a film, known as plaque, on the teeth.

When you consume sugary foods and drinks, bacteria feed on the carbohydrates, turning them into acid. Acid is bad for the health of the teeth. Tooth decay occurs when acid causes a breakdown of the tooth surface, causing holes.

The problem with tooth decay is that the beginning is like opening a bag of trouble. Once the hard surface breaks open, bacteria can reach the softer tissue, the dentin, and cause further damage. This accelerates tooth decay.

If left untreated, the bacteria will find their way into the pulp, the softest part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. The nerves are exposed to bacteria, which is when you start to feel pain.

Why should you see a dentist regularly?

You may not feel any pain or symptoms as tooth decay progresses until the pulp has been damaged. Therefore, it is important to visit a dental clinic near you at least every six months. Your dentist will examine your teeth and prevent or treat any damage before it progresses.

If you recently began to feel pain in your teeth, you should urgently consult a dentist.

Some symptoms of dental caries

Once again, tooth decay may not cause pain, allowing it to go unnoticed.

However, cavities sometimes come with other symptoms, including:

• Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold substances
• Gray, black, or brown stains on the teeth
• mouth odor
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth.

How to prevent tooth decay

Fortunately, tooth decay is entirely preventable. Here are some guidelines to prevent tooth decay:

• fluoride deficiency can cause cavities, so the use of toothpastes containing fluoride is recommended.
• Drink water right after eating to flush sugar out of your mouth and prevent it from turning into acid.
• Use mouthwash to remove plaque and bacteria from those hard-to-reach areas.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Minimize your intake of sugary foods and drinks, especially just before bed
• Limit the amount of snacks and sugary drinks your child eats, and use children’s toothpaste for them.

Treatment of dental caries

There are different treatment options for cavities

• Filling – your dentist will remove the tooth decay and fill it to cover the cavity
• Root canal – this is usually necessary if the decomposition has spread to the pulp
• removing the tooth – if it has irreversibly deteriorated, removing it completely may be the best option. The dentist can replace it with an implant.

Ending

Tooth care is important and should be part of your beauty routine. Bright white teeth is a confidence boost that allows you to show off that beautiful smile.