Are you noticing a cavity or black spot on your tooth? Or agonizing tooth pain has made you restless and sleepless? It is time to get your dental health assessed, there might be bacteria in your mouth decaying or slowly “eating up” your teeth. Tooth decay is prevalent in people of all ages- from young to old, you can fall prey to it anytime. Initially, tooth decay isn’t painful, which is why it often goes neglected for a long time. Moreover, when the patient “feels the need” for treatment, it has destroyed most of the tooth structure. To keep dental problems such as tooth decay at bay, it is crucial to educate yourself about the “dos and don’ts” in dentistry.

Tooth Decay- Everything You Should Know Tooth decay, or dental caries, is caused when the bacteria invade the outer enamel layer of your tooth. It gradually progresses and damages the inner layer of the tooth, resulting in a cavity, infection, and pain. If left untreated, it can often lead to tooth loss. You must be wondering, since you have always heard that the tooth is even stronger than bone, then why can bacteria destroy it so easily? Well, you have heard right. Even though the tooth is strong, the outer layer of enamel has its limitations. Moreover, once the tooth is damaged, there is no going back, because unlike any other structure in a human body, a tooth cannot heal itself.

Our mouth harbors bacteria in a sticky layer called plaque that encapsulates the teeth and the gum line. With poor oral hygiene, this layer can turn into a pale-yellow, rock-hard layer of calculus that leads to many dental problems such as tooth decay, gum diseases, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss. Our saliva maintains a neutral pH of 7 in the mouth and can rinse off the “bad” bacteria to some extent. However, when the bacterial count increases in the mouth, it starts turning any food debris or sugar particle into acid, changing the pH of the saliva. This is when the “acid attacks” start destroying the tooth, dissolving the protective layer of enamel, leading to tooth decay and dental cavities.

Reasons For Tooth Decay Or Dental Caries In your struggle to frequently satisfy the cravings of your “sweet tooth,” you are more likely to get a “decayed tooth.” Although tooth decay or dental caries can be prevented with precautionary measures, at times, the bacterial attack is inevitable. Here are some of the common reasons that lead to tooth decay:

*Poor oral hygiene practice *Frequent intake of sugary food and drinks *Giving bottles to babies that contain milk with added sugars *Not rinsing the mouth after eating *Trauma to the tooth that exposes it to bacteria *Intake of acidic food or acid produced due to systemic issues *Gum diseases *Heredity and genetics – if dental caries is prevalent in your family, you can get it too

It is crucial to rule out the reason that has caused tooth decay for a complete diagnosis and a better treatment plan. Therefore, you need to be honest with your dentist. Furthermore, the dentist can educate you about the things you should avoid to combat dental problems in the future.

Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Decay If you do not feel any pain or see any visible changes to your tooth, how would you know that dental caries have harbored in your mouth? Well, this is one more reason that medical science refers to “pain as a blessing” in many cases. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is time for a visit to the dental clinic:

*Tooth pain (even if it is mild and seldom) *If you feel any swelling or little bumps in your gums *Tooth sensitivity *Gum pain *Extra oral swelling *Infection surrounding the tooth (often followed by fever) *Bad taste or breath in your mouth *Appearance of black, brown, or white spots *Appearance of large cavities and holes *The tooth chipping off in little pieces

Treatment For Tooth Decay As the damage caused by bacteria is irreversible, the tooth needs to undergo dental treatments to remove the decayed part and restore the tooth. It is crucial to restore the integrity, function, and anatomy of the tooth. After a thorough clinical and radiographic examination, the dentist will decide the treatment option accordingly. Here are some of the options you need to know:

*Dental fillings *Root canal treatment *Inlays and onlays *Dental crowns *Tooth extraction (removal)

Preventive Measures For Tooth Decay Patient education is the primary key to avoiding dental problems. Tooth decay sounds and seems scary, and it is. It does not only compromise your oral health, but if the infection spreads into the bloodstream, it can compromise your overall health as well. Therefore, you can prevent tooth decay by taking the precautionary measure such as:

*Brush twice a day with the proper brushing method *Use of dental floss and antibacterial mouthwash *Avoid smoking and tobacco use *Avoid frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks *Rinse your mouth with water after every meal *Eat healthy food *Visit regularly to the dental clinic *Get professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year

As soon as you notice any visible changes in your teeth, do not wait because it is painless to rush to the dentist as soon as you can! Healthy teeth are the epitome of a beautiful smile and a healthy body. Practice good oral hygiene habits and teach your kids the same so that your family never opens its doors to dental problems!