Tooth Decay What You Need To Know

Tooth decay symptoms

According to experts, tooth decay may not cause pain but dental caries might. A tooth ache can be defined as continuous pain that keeps one awake or an occasional sharp pain without any cause. Tooth sensitivity is the tenderness or pain experienced when eating or drinking hot or cold substances. Bad breath refers to an unpleasant taste in one’s mouth.

Paying your dentist a visit

It is recommended that you visit your dentist regularly as this ensures that tooth decay gets treated early and prevention of further decay is done. It is cheaper and easier to treat tooth decay in its early stages. Through a simple X ray examination, a dentist can identify tooth decay.

Adults need to visit a dentist for checkup at least once every two years while for children aged below 18 years should have a check up at least once a year.

Tooth decay treatment

When it comes to treatment, it all depends on how advanced the decay is. During early stages, your dentist will speak to you regarding the amount of sugar in your diet and the duration eaten. The dentist may go ahead and apply fluoride gel, varnish or paste on the affected area. Fluoride is known to protect the teeth by strengthening the enamel thus making it resistant to acids produced by plaque.

During checkup, your dentist will discuss with you regarding filling or placing a crown. This helps in the removal and treatment of dental decay. The dentist will apply local anesthetic to numb the tooth before filling it.

There are instances where the decay has spread to the pulp and this may be removed through the root canal procedure. If it is damaged badly which eliminates the option of restoration, removal of the tooth will have to be performed.

To ensure that your mouth retains its structure, the dentist will replace the removed tooth with a partial denture, bridge or implant.

Tooth decay prevention

Tooth decay is known to be a common problem and the good news is that it can be prevented. It is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy to prevent the onset of tooth decay. You can prevent tooth decay by doing the following:

Make regular visits to your dentist – as professionals, they will decide on how frequent you need to have your teeth, mouth and gums checked.

You need to cut down on sugary drinks and foods especially meals just before you head to bed. There are medications which may contain sugar therefore its best to go for sugar free alternatives instead.

Take care of your teeth and gums by brushing them with fluoride rich toothpaste after every meal. You need to floss as well as use an interdental brush once a day.

Tobacco smoking has been found to interfere with saliva production. Saliva is known to keep the teeth clean. Drinking alcohol contributes to erosion of the enamel while smoking leads to yellowing of the teeth.

Always pay your dentist a visit especially if you experience dry mouth symptoms. This may be as a result of certain medicines, treatment or medical condition.