When we mention tooth decay we refer to the damage that happens to the teeth due to different reasons. If not treated this issue can result in cavities, abscesses and in the worst-case scenario even tooth loss.
Our mouth is full of good and bad bacteria. The bad bacteria will attract sugars and convert them into acids. If you don’t properly take care of your teeth, the acid will tear down the enamel and damage the teeth.
In this blog post, we will focus on explaining the process of tooth decay and the stages that it includes. Additionally, we will also help you with some tips that will prevent the issue from getting worse. For additional advice and care, contact City Dental Clinic in Albania.
Tooth decay occurs when we consume unhealthy foods such as carbohydrates, candy, bread milk or fruits and do not wash our teeth afterwards. Since there are a lot of bacteria in our mouth they will be attracted by food particles and turn them into damaging acids which will result in the buildup of plaque in the teeth.
Due to its acidity, the plaque will harm the enamel surface of the teeth and create small holes. These holes are called cavities. Some of the symptoms you should focus on include:
Cavities can be formed in every tooth. Furthermore, we will mention some types of cavities and in which area of the teeth they will be noticed:
Some of the most common cavities will be noticed in the smooth surface of the teeth and can impact the tooth enamel. In these cases, the decay can be prevented and sometimes also reversed if you properly take care of the teeth. It will also be more noticed in people in their 20s.
Another type of cavity can be noticed in the top part of the tooth surface and also the back of the teeth. This is also known as pit and fissure decay. It is usually found in teenagers and continues to progress quickly.
Last but not least we have root decay. This condition is more severe and will happen to adults who have receding gums since their roots are exposed to plaque and acid. This type of decay is serious and will not be treated easily.
Tooth decay comes with several symptoms that can depend on the severity of the damage caused to the teeth. It is also common for some people to not feel any symptoms at all.
Some of the most common symptoms in these cases include:
As we mentioned before, our mouths are full of bacteria. While some of them are helpful others can be harmful.
These harmful bacteria will play a huge part in the formation of tooth decay. They feed on food, especially sugar and form a soft and sticky film on the enamel surface that is known as plaque.
These bacteria will use the sugar and starch and produce acids which will start to eat away the tooth minerals. As time passes the plaque will harden and for tartar. Not only will plaque and tartar damage the teeth but they will also damage the gums which will lead to gum disease which is a very serious condition which can result in loss of teeth.
There are several ways that can help prevent this from happening. Fluoride is one of the main things that you should take into consideration. It can be mostly found in water and toothpaste.
Fluoride along with good saliva production will help the enamel repair itself and keep the teeth healthy. This is a normal process as our teeth lose and regain the mineral every day.
It is important to have a good balance between consuming what you enjoy and taking care of your teeth if you want them to be strong and healthy. If you consume a lot of sugary or starchy things the enamel will keep losing its minerals.
The first sign that you will notice will be white spots on the teeth in the areas where the minerals have been lost. While the enamel has the ability to repair on its own it is still a good idea to take good care of your teeth and limit these types of foods that can damage it.
However, sometimes the decay continues to progress and the minerals will get lost and destroy the enamel which will form a cavity. They look like small brown holes in the teeth. This will be repaired with a professional dental filling.
Cavities can be formed as a result of not having a regular dental hygiene routine and not having a proper diet which consists of many sugary, acidic and starchy foods/drinks. However, the risk of forming cavities will be higher for some people than for others, including:
As we mentioned before, tooth decay is a common dental issue that affects the majority of people and every age group. This issue comes in different stages and if not addressed at the right time it can reach the deepest layer of your teeth which will result in more serious dental issues and pain, especially while eating.
As you now know this dental issue is very common and widespread affecting a lot of people worldwide. Understanding the different stages will be very helpful and you will be able to treat it before it causes more serious issues.
First off we will start by explaining the first stage of tooth decay which is the silent attack on the enamel. The symptoms will manifest as white spots mostly visible along the gum line.
This is a clear sign of minerals being lost. During this stage, the damage can be reversed if the right measurements are taken.
This means taking good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing them twice a day and maintaining a healthy diet while limiting sugary starchy and acidic foods and beverages. As you might understand by now when our teeth are introduced with sugar it will create an acid that will damage the enamel.
Before going further with any treatments it is important to discuss everything with your dentist. In this early stage, they will recommend fluoride treatments that come in the form of toothpaste or professional applications.
Additionally, it is a given that you should reduce sugar intake and try to keep a healthy diet incorporating foods rich in calcium and phosphate which will help with the regionalization process and avoid tooth decay.
If you neglect the first symptoms of tooth decay that are noticeable in the first stage. If this is the case the decay will progress further and cause tooth sensitivity that will be triggered by simple actions such as brushing, hot and cold air and foods.
This stage is called enamel decay which goes further than demineralization in terms of damage. There will be clear signs of the tooth’s surface erosion. If left untreated the symptoms will get worse and will manifest as open holes in the surface of the teeth.
If you visit your dentist during this stage, he will suggest remineralization techniques which include professional cleanings and fluoride varnishes. The good news is that the damage is still reversible during this stage so you will be able to save the tooth enamel and prevent additional damage to the teeth structure.
If the damage goes beyond the tooth enamel it will reach the dentin. If this occurs the symptoms will become more uncomfortable and not allow your mouth to function properly.
Increased sensitivity will be a clear sign of dentin decay so you should be aware of it. Additionally, you will also notice dark or yellow spots in the teeth.
The best way to treat dentin decay will be dental fillings and sealants. This way you will be able to maintain the tooth structure and prevent additional damage.
If left untreated, the decay will reach the tooth pulp which is the inside part of the tooth. During this stage, the symptoms will become more severe.
They will manifest as severe toothache, swelling and even pus formation in the affected area. Once the pulp is damaged this will lead to infection and abscess formation which will risk both your oral and general health.
An abscess is no joke as it can reach other parts of the body and potentially cause serious and life-threatening complications.
In these cases, the dentists will recommend root canal therapy. This involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the tooth canal and then sealing it.
This way you will prevent additional damage to the mouth. Additionally, it is important to understand that taking action at the right time is a must for protecting your health.
If you neglect every symptom that we mentioned earlier, you will reach the last stage which is abscess formation, the most severe one. The main symptoms are intense swelling pain and even high fever.
When you reach these stages the symptoms and risks will go beyond oral health. Although rare, untreated abscesses can even cause life-threatening conditions.
Since abscess formation is considered a dental emergency it also requires emergency treatment. These include drainage of the pus, and a course of antibiotics to manage pain and stop infection.
After managing the initial symptoms, you will feel much better and the infection won’t spread to other parts of the body. Additionally, once you finish the course of antibiotics most likely a root canal will be recommended to save the tooth.
At City Dental Clinic in Albania, we advise our patients to pay a lot of attention to dental pain as this is the first sign of cavities. However, before the pain gets excruciating there are other symptoms that you should keep in mind.
Just like with any other dental condition, the earlier you treat cavities the better it is. So we recommend you pay a lot of attention to the early signs that we mentioned earlier.
Here are some ways to stop tooth decay before the symptoms get worse and affect other parts of the mouth and the body.
Some people are more prone to developing tooth decay and this can be a result of some behaviors. Knowing if you are at a higher risk of developing cavities will help you prepare for the treatment. Here is how people are ranked when it comes to cavity risk level:
Although maintaining proper dental hygiene sounds simple it is important to know how to do it correctly. Here are some tips you should keep in mind:
Fluoride is an important mineral that makes the teeth more resistant to tooth decay. It does so by making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks.
If you are at the first stage of tooth decay, all you need is fluoride to remineralise and reverse the decay. The treatment will be recommended by the dentist. This is a simple process that does not cause pain or discomfort.
Once the dentist applies the fluoride treatment to the teeth, you should refrain from eating and drinking for 30 minutes. This is how much it will take the teeth to absorb the fluoride.
Saliva production is one of the most important processes to keep teeth healthy and protect them from tooth decay. If you have a dry mouth, you will be at a higher risk of damaging your teeth.
Drink a lot of water during the day to keep the mouth healthy. This will also help you wash away food particles and bacteria in the mouth.
Another thing you should try to incorporate into your oral hygiene routine is to use a mouth rinse free of alcohol. The mouthwash will kill the bacteria and not allow them to develop further. If you can try to find one that also contains fluoride to help reduce the risk of decay.
Although we understand it may be difficult, avoiding refined sugars will be the best thing you can do for your teeth. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are two bacteria found in our mouth that thrive on sugar. Both these bacteria will form dental plaque which will lead to enamel erosion and cavities.
In order to avoid this it is important to try and limit sugar beverages and foods. When you consume them, wait about half an hour to brush the teeth and in the meantime drink a lot of water to rinse some of the remains.
Sugar-free gum is a great way to promote saliva production and to neutralise the acid attack after eating. However, keep in mind that you should choose the right gums since most of them are full of added sugars. We recommend you either choose sugar-free gum or gums that contain xylitol which is a natural sugar.
If you notice any cavity symptoms it is important to not panic. Cavities are very common and once they are diagnosed in their early stage they are easily treatable. There are many ways to treat them and the first thing to do is to choose the right dentist at City Dental Clinic in Albania. Schedule a consultation now with our professional staff of dentists.
