The Truth About Tooth Decay
Why does tooth decay occur and does it have to be inevitable?
Apart from routine visits for a check up or to see the hygienist, the most common reason for people ringing our Burton dental practice for an appointment is because they are in pain with a toothache. The ‘lucky’ ones have an uncomfortable ‘nagging’ toothache while others are in real and significant pain. Naturally, we always do what we can to see those worst affected as quickly as we can.
Tooth decay shouldn’t be ‘one of those things’ that just happens though. It isn’t inevitable and, with good quality oral health care, can usually be avoided. Naturally, there will always be situations where toothache is caused by accidental damage to a tooth and we are there to help when this happens. In today’s blog though, we are going to look at why tooth decay occurs and what can be done to prevent it and how we treat any cavities that form.
Formation of cavities
So what causes tooth decay and how does it start? This happens when the bacteria in our mouth starts to interact with sugars that we eat or drink. Not all of these are from ‘sweet’ foods either. Starchy foods also break down and provide sugar for the bacteria, the most common of which is ‘Streptococcus mutans’. As the bacteria interacts with the sugar it produces acids and it is this that starts to cause the actual damage to the tooth enamel.
Initially, this acid attacks the outer surface of the enamel, causing demineralisation. Gradually, as this decays, it will form small cavities in the tooth enamel. These small cavities allow further bacteria and acids to gather and eventually they will break through the enamel exterior and enter the softer and more porous dentin layer of the tooth. It is usually at this stage that patients start to notice some discomfort. This is because of the porosity of the dentin that allows messages to be sent to the nerves in the root of the tooth.
If the decay is not removed and the cavity filled, or a crown attached if too large for a filling, there is a likelihood that the bacteria will enter the soft pulp area in the root canals where the nerves are located. This is likely to be extremely painful and can only be treated either with a root canal procedure or by extracting the tooth.
Prevention
A good start to preventing tooth decay is to keep any sugary food that you consume to a reasonable level. Just quitting obvious sugars is not enough though. Sugar is a ‘hidden ingredient’ even in many savoury products and many foodstuffs will naturally produce sugars too. Given that you can’t avoid this altogether then, this only serves to emphasise the importance of a good home cleaning routine for patients of SG Dental and Implant Centre.
Make sure that you have a toothbrush with healthy bristles as worn ones will not be effective. Generally, you should replace the brush or head every three months. Make sure you clean all areas of the tooth including the rear of the tooth and around the gum line. Make sure to also add flossing to your regular routine if you don’t already do so. This helps to remove food and bacteria from places that toothbrush bristles struggle to reach and is a big help in tooth decay prevention.
Finally, make sure to see your dentist and dental hygienist every six months so that they can monitor your oral health and treat any problems before they become too serious.
Treatment
There are three main ways to treat a dental cavity which has formed. The most common of these is the filling. As cavities grow and become larger, it is essential that you should contact us as soon as you can if you notice anything unusual. A small cavity requires a small filling and it is important to retain as much of the natural tooth as possible. We are able to offer patients of our Burton dental surgery the opportunity to have tooth coloured fillings. Not only does this help you retain the natural appearance of the tooth but often requires less of the natural tooth to be removed when compared to amalgam fillings.
Where a larger cavity has formed or where breakage has occurred, it may be more beneficial to place a dental crown instead. Not only does this help to retain the natural appearance but often provides a greater degree of strength when compared to a large filling.
Finally, if the damage is too significant, there may be little option left other than to extract the tooth. This is always a last resort but sometimes it is the only and best option available. If we do extract a tooth, we will discuss tooth replacement options such as dentures, a bridge or dental implants with you.
We hope that this explanation of how tooth decay forms helps you to understand the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth well, as well as why you should always keep your appointments with us.
If you have missed an appointment or are concerned about some discomfort you are having, however small it might seem, you should call us to book an appointment with one of our dentists. You can call the SG Dental and Implant Centre today by ringing us on 01283 845345.