Have you ever had a toothache and wondered why you had such a painful experience? You are not alone as many people do not think much about the health of their teeth until something happens to them, and when this thing happens that results in a feeling of toothache, this matter may be deep inside the tooth in the clutches of tooth decay, but what exactly is tooth decay ? Why do you feel this annoying pain that sometimes prevents us from sleeping?
The Dr.Dent platform provides the answer you need and all the proper means and ways to keep your teeth healthy and pain-free. Just continue reading in the following lines, in which we will discuss all the inside information about tooth decay, how to detect it and its causes, and what you can do to treat your teeth from it.
Tooth decay is a type of infection that damages the enamel or surface of the teeth. Of course, you know that tooth enamel protects the deeper layer of your teeth, so if the enamel damage is severe, a hole may form in your teeth, generally known as a cavity or decay.
Minor tooth decay may not be painful, but if it reaches a more serious stage, it may affect the inner pulp of the teeth, where it can damage the blood vessels, nerves and the general tissue of the tooth, believe me, this can be very painful and can lead to the complete loss of the affected tooth.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that live inside your mouth (did you know that scientists have discovered about seven hundred different types of bacteria that live inside the mouth? Did you also know that they estimated the number of bacteria that are present in only one millimeter of saliva at a number estimated at about one hundred million? Do not worry, as Most of these species are static), when these bacteria feed on the sugars in the foods you eat they produce a sticky substance called plaque that can build up on your teeth. Removing them, the bacteria in plaque and tartar produce acids that damage your teeth and cause them to eat, holes and cavities.
In many cases, people do not notice tooth decay until they feel pain in their teeth. This pain may occur when eating or feeling general pain in the teeth. You may not feel pain in the event of early tooth decay, but you may notice brown or yellow spots on the teeth. your teeth.
While anyone can be exposed to and suffer from tooth decay, some people are more susceptible to it. Young children who have not learned to brush their teeth properly are at risk of developing tooth decay as are older people with receding gums that expose more of their teeth to bacteria.
Adults who do not brush and floss regularly are also at risk for tooth decay. People with reduced saliva production may be more susceptible to tooth decay because saliva helps get rid of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Preventing tooth decay is always better than treating, and preventing decay is often easier than treating it as well, but if you need to treat tooth decay, your dentist has several options depending on the severity of the level of decay, which is determined by your diagnosis. Fluoride treatments help stop the development and growth of tooth decay in its early stages by prompting tooth enamel to repair and strengthen itself.
Fillings are also an option in cases where caries develops and forms cavities in your teeth, where the damaged part of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling material.
Root canals are often used when the damage to a tooth is more severe but can still be treated. Root canals are done when the pulp is damaged. Your dentist will drill out the damaged pulp and tooth enamel and replace them with a filling and possibly a crown or tooth cap.
Tooth extraction is the last resort when it comes to treating tooth decay as the irreversible tooth will be extracted, and your dentist may suggest an implant or bridge to replace the missing tooth.
Cavities, intolerance to hot or cold foods and drinks, and abscesses indicate that tooth decay is already present and needs immediate treatment. Ignoring these signs of tooth decay can lead to more pain, severe infection, and tooth loss.
