What causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth Decay occurs when your tooth structure becomes softened by acid. Acid washes over your teeth when you eat or drink anything that contains sugar. Acid constantly being in contact with on your teeth may cause a hole or a defect in your tooth. It damages your tooth so much that a filling may be required or in serious situations you may need your tooth removed.
Signs of Tooth Decay?
There are no symptoms in the early stages of tooth decay, Dr Jack may pick up tooth decay in your tooth during an exam and x-ray appointment. Keeping up a regular dental check up, small areas of decay are easier to treat than advanced decay.
Stages of Tooth Decay
- Acid eats away the top layer (enamel) of your tooth.
- The hole caused by the acid reaches the inside layer (dentine) of your tooth, this is when it may become sensitive.
- Dental Decay gets larger and close to the inside layer (pulp) of your tooth. This is when you will have toothache.
- As Dental Decay reaches the center of your tooth. Toothache is now more sever and may last longer and you may need to take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
- Dental decay infects the nerve inside the center of your tooth. The tooth is now dying, you risk developing an abscess if not treated.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Keeping up with a regular brushing and flossing routine morning and night with a fluoride toothpaste will help remove plaque and food from between your teeth. Sometimes Dr Jack may recommend a fissure sealant to protect your teeth. A fissure sealant is a coating placed on the crevices of your tooth surface to make it easier to keep clean and healthy. Learn more about fissure sealants here.
If you would like to keep your mouth tooth decay free or if you are concerned you may have a tooth that may require attention, give the team at Infinity Dental Care a call, book online or drop in, you will find us in the Winston Hills Mall.