Learn About Cavities And How To Get Best Tooth Decay Treatment In Bangalore
Tooth decay (also called cavities ) is a common diet-related condition in adult and kids where the primary teeth loses its minerals. In its early stages, they can appear as white or black spots on the teeth, but as more minerals are lost, it can lead to a decay and cavities. Further mineral loss can cause tooth decay to penetrate the center of the tooth (the pulp), which leads to terrible toothache or sensitivity.
What Is Tooth Decay?
“If you don’t brush your teeth, you’ll get cavities.” you must have heard this when you were a kid. What really are cavities? Simply put, tooth decay or teeth cavities is a decaying portion of the tooth formed by bacteria and the acids they produce. They appear as brownish-black or black spots on the teeth, and accumulation of food in these cavities is a common problem as these bacteria feed off the sugars of the remaining food particles to cause further damage to your tooth.
Symptoms Of Tooth Cavity
Many bacteria live in your mouth and in plaque (food buildup around your teeth). These bacteria use the sugars in the food you eat for the energy they need to live. When converting sugar into energy, the bacteria in your mouth produce acid as a waste product.This acid dissolves tooth crystals and causes a mineral depletion that leads to signs of tooth decay such as white spots and cavities.
The signs and symptoms of tooth decay vary by degree and location. When cavities have just started, there are no symptoms at all. As tooth decay progresses, it can cause the following signs and symptoms:
– Hypersensitivity to hot or cold foods
– Tooth hole or cavitation
– If food enters this cavitation, the tooth will hurt.
– Dark brown spots or stains on teeth
– It hurts to chew
Causes Of Tooth Decay
You may not be aware that a cavity is forming. That’s why it’s important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings, even when your mouth feels fine. However, if you experience a toothache or mouth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible.
Plaque Formation
Plaque is the clear, sticky film that covers your teeth. It is caused by eating a lot of sugar and starch and not brushing your teeth properly. If sugars and starches are not removed from your teeth, bacteria will quickly start eating them and forming plaque. Plaque left on the teeth can harden into tartar under or above the gums and makes it difficult to remove plaque as it forms a protective shield against bacteria
Plaque Attack
The acids in the plaque remove minerals from the hard enamel. This erosion causes small openings or holes in the tooth enamel. This is the first stage of tooth decay. As the tooth enamel wears away, bacteria and acids reach the next layer of the tooth, the dentin. This layer is softer than enamel and less acid resistant. Dentin has tiny tubes that communicate directly with the nerves of the tooth and cause hypersensitivity.
Continued Erosion
As tooth decay progresses, bacteria and acids continue to make their way inside the tooth, traveling along the inner pulp (dental pulp), which contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp swells and causes irritation by bacteria. Because the swelling is not inside the tooth, it puts pressure on the nerve and causes pain. Symptoms may even extend beyond the roots to the bone.
Improper brushing and flossing
Brushing and flossing are considered basic dental hygiene habits. Its is known to remove and clean microscopic food particles stuck to teeth but It also removes a layer of plaque from the tooth surface which aids in cavity formation. So it is very important to do the above carefully tp avoid any problems.
Eat Or Drink Sweets
Sweet foods are primarily responsible for the development of tooth bacteria. These bacteria grown on the teeth and lead to further tooth decay.
Inappropriate mouthwash
The food we eat collects in the small spaces between our teeth. These slowly begin to break down the tooth. A proper mouth rinse can remove most of the small debris from your teeth. It also removes plaque buildup that later causes tooth decay.
Main Stages Of Teeth Decay
Plaque is the main ingredient to the cavities process. Plaque is a colorless, sticky film that covers the surface of teeth. It is made up of bacteria, food particles and saliva.
Plaque can build up if you don’t clean your teeth regularly. It can also harden over time and form what is called tartar. The presence of tartar helps to further protect the bacteria, making it more difficult to remove.Generally, there are five stages of tooth decay. Let’s explore them in more detail below.
Stage 1: Early demineralization
The outer layer of teeth is made up of a type of tissue which is called enamel. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and is mostly composed of minerals. However, when teeth are exposed to acids produced by plaque bacteria, enamel begins to lose these minerals.When this occurs, you usually may see a white spot on one of your teeth. This area of mineral loss is the first sign of tooth decay.
Stage 2: Dentin decay
Dentin is the tissue that underlies the enamel of your teeth. Because it is softer than tooth enamel, it is more susceptible to acid damage. For this reason, cavities progresses faster once it reaches the dentin. Dentin also contains tubes that connect to the nerves of the tooth. Therefore, hypersensitivity can occur when dentin is affected by cavities. You may notice this especially when you drink hot or cold food and drinks or overly sugary drinks.
Stage 3: Pulp damage
The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels that keep your teeth healthy. Nerves in the pulp also give the tooth its sensation. If the pulp is damaged, it can become irritated and swell. Because the tissue around the tooth cannot expand to accommodate this swelling, it can put pressure on the nerve, which can lead to pain.
Stage 4: Abscess
When cavities penetrate the pulp, bacteria can enter and cause an infection. Increased tooth inflammation can cause pockets of puss to form at the bottom of the tooth called an abscess.A tooth abscess can result in severe pain which radiates into the jaw. Other symptoms include swollen gums, face or jaw, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.An abscessed tooth should be treated immediately as the infection can spread to other parts of the head and neck as well as the jawbone. In some cases, treatment may involve removal of the affected tooth.
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