By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-05-26 11:17:08 | Word Count: 664
Tooth decay is something that can affect anyone, although it is typical among children and young adults. Tooth decay is the process that causes cavities or dental caries to form. Cavities are tiny holes that occur in teeth over a period of time. Cavities can take months or even years to form. Tooth decay can be very harmful to your oral health and overall wellbeing.
Causes
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Tooth decay is caused by a lack of good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene includes having your teeth cleaned twice per year, brushing your teeth regularly and flossing. Tooth decay is primarily caused by plaque. Plaque is partially comprised of bacteria that are in your mouth. When the bacteria combine with the food that you eat, acid and saliva it develops into plaque. The bacteria in your mouth uses the food you eat to form acids. These acids remain in the mouth and begin to attack tooth enamel. The acids dissolve the enamel, which is what your teeth are made of. If the plaque is allowed to remain in the mouth, it will cause tooth decay.
The more carbohydrates, candy and sticky foods that are in your diet, the greater your chances of developing tooth decay. Carbohydrates and candies are full of sugar. When these substances remain in your mouth, the bacteria flocks to it because of the sugar content. Bacteria convert foods in to acids, especially items that have starch and sugar.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of tooth decay vary from person to person based on the severity of the tooth decay. You may feel pain, have a tooth ache after eating or drinking certain food and beverage items, and develop cavities. Tooth decay symptoms are usually non-existent until a cavity has formed. Most people don’t realize that they have tooth decay until it is too late. If you don’t visit a dental professional every few months, you could be developing cavities and not feel any symptoms.
Treatment and Management
To prevent yourself from having tooth decay and cavities, it is imperative that your brush your teeth properly. This should be done after each meal and in the morning. Brushing properly involves using a toothbrush and toothpaste on each part of every tooth. This includes the front, back and top portions of your teeth. You should also floss regularly and rinse your mouth with a fluoride based substance. These methods can treat mild tooth decay.
If your tooth decay is severe and has already resulted in a cavity, that cavity may need to be filled by a trained dental professional. This will stop the tooth decay from continuing to eat away at your enamel. In other cases, it is possible that you may require a root canal or crown cap. You should visit a dentist on a regular basis to make sure that your teeth and gums are in a healthy condition.
Dental health is a very important component of your overall health. Make your oral health a priority by requesting an appointment today.
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