Tooth decay or ‘dental caries’ is a very common condition, especially in children. It is caused by the build up of plaque which attacks the outer layer of your teeth and results in small holes or ‘cavities’ in the enamel. If left untreated it can work its way down into the pulp where it will expose the nerves. This results in extreme pain known as toothache.
What causes tooth decay? It is can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common being a poor diet and failing to look after your teeth properly. Treatment for tooth decay includes fillings, crowns or teeth extraction.
Other factors include:
And passive smoking is a risk factor as well.
With this condition your ability to produce saliva is reduced which leaves you with a burning sensation in your mouth and heightened sensitivity to certain foods.
The problem with this is that saliva helps to remove food debris and plaque as well as preventing bacterial growth in your mouth. It also neutralises acids present in your mouth.
Diet is another important factor. If you consume a diet high in sugary foods then these will erode your teeth over a period of time. This erosion is what causes tooth decay.
If you feel that you cannot do without sugar then try and limit your intake and brush your teeth after every meal.
Brushing and flossing is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. This needs to be followed on a daily basis and combined with twice yearly visits to your dentist. Doing this will maintain your teeth.
There is more than one type of tooth decay:
The root type of cavity is more common in older patients. This type of decay happens at the front of the tooth root.
The smooth surface cavity is the easiest one to treat. It’s usually found on the flat surface of the tooth and affects those teeth found at the side of your mouth.
The pit and fissure type of cavity affects the grooves of your back teeth and can spread very quickly.
Tooth decay tends to affect the back teeth (molars and premolars) which you use to chew your food. Food particles get lodged here due to the shape of these teeth which are a fertile ground for bacteria. Plus these teeth are difficult to clean with a toothbrush.
The problem with tooth decay is once it has started it tends to work its way through the enamel and the dentin (soft material which supports the enamel) before reaching the pulp. The pulp is the soft centre of the tooth which contains nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue.
Tooth decay consists of bacteria and plaque which, once they reach the pulp directly inflame the nerves and cause that all too familiar pain!
These include tooth sensitivity, pain in your tooth when you eat anything sweet, hot or cold; bad breath, pain when you bite anything and the formation of pus around your tooth.
Holes in your tooth or brown or black spots on the surface are also warning signs.
A trip to your dentist’s will uncover any signs of tooth decay.
There are several ways of doing so which include using fluoride based products such as toothpastes, gels or a varnish. Fluoride can be added to bottled water or as part of a professional clean, carried out by your dentist.
Dental fillings are a popular form of treatment. These are used to fill in the middle or outer surface of a tooth and are made from a variety of materials. These include composite resins, silver amalgam and the very popular porcelain filling.
A dental crown is another option. This is also known as a ‘cap’ and can fit over the eroded part of a tooth. These are made from porcelain or gold.
If a tooth is badly decayed then the only course of action might be an extraction. This may sound drastic but it can help to prevent the spread of the infection. Your dentist may advise you to replace this with a dental implant.
Another treatment for severe tooth decay is root canal surgery. This sounds rather extreme but dental technology has advanced and can ensure that this is a lot less painful than it used to be.
Another treatment is dental sealants. These can be applied to the grooves or ‘fissures’ within your teeth and help to protect them.
To learn more visit our section on dental fissure sealants.
The important message here is that tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause complications. These include gingivitis and periodontal gum disease, abscesses and teeth extractions.
Tooth decay is preventable: even though it is very common there are a range of precautions you can take. These are easy to do and can become part of a daily dental routine. These include:
Many of us do get tooth decay but it can be prevented if we follow a few sensible precautions.