Tooth decay or cavities are among the most prevalent oral health issues that affect people of all ages. It occurs when harmful bacteria attack a tooth’s enamel, causing the enamel to erode. The harmful bacteria penetrate the tooth's underlying structures and can cause inflammation or infection of the pulp if left untreated. Children and adults are all at significant risk of decay. However, it is a presentable issue if you maintain excellent oral health habits and regularly visit the dentist.
People report various types of decay. The different types have different causes and treatments and affect people differently. Thus, it helps to understand these types of dental decay and how to protect your teeth from them. A skilled dentist can also explain the various treatments available for tooth decay to restore your smile and teeth functionality.
Types of Dental Decay
Tooth decay, or cavities or caries, are tooth problems caused by harmful oral bacteria. The mouth is home to various types of bacteria. Some are useful, for example, those that help with digestion, and others are harmful. When the harmful bacteria combine with food particles in the mouth, they produce an acid strong enough to erode the tooth’s enamel, the strongest outer part of the tooth. The attack continues as long as the environment in the mouth is conducive for the bacteria to thrive. The acids weaken the enamel and penetrate the inner structure of the tooth.
Tooth decay starts mildly and deteriorates over time. It results in cavities or holes in natural teeth and can cause other severe dental problems. A skilled dentist can diagnose and treat any type of tooth decay at any stage of its development. Thus, you should visit your dentist for regular dental checkups and examinations and book an appointment immediately after you notice something unusual on or with your teeth.
The different types of decay are as follows:
Coronal Tooth Decay
Coronal decay is also called crown decay and is highly prevalent. It mainly affects the chewing parts of the back teeth. It can also occur between two teeth. This type of tooth decay is caused primarily by plaque accumulation. Plaque is a buildup that occurs when the acid from harmful bacteria combines with sugars and starch in your mouth. It is a sticky substance that builds on the gums and teeth. Once it covers a tooth, the harmful bacteria penetrate it, creating a hole or cavity and spreading to the rest of the tooth.
Plaque is a sticky substance that is difficult to remove through regular brushing. It builds slowly, spreading to cover larger surfaces if left untreated. Failure to practice good oral hygiene habits is the leading cause of this decay. However, people who consume sugary and starchy foods are at higher risk. This is because sugar and starch cause oral bacteria to produce more harmful acid, accelerating its effect on the enamel.
The good news is that you can prevent coronal corrosion and avoid its harmful effects on your teeth and oral health. You can limit your intake of starchy and sugary beverages and foods. You could also minimize snacking in between meals. You must also maintain a regular oral hygiene habit, including brushing after every meal or twice every day and flossing daily. This removes any foods stuck in your mouth and teeth after eating. Using a proper toothbrush and toothpaste can also remove plaque.
Root Decay
This type of tooth decay affects the roots of your teeth. Natural teeth are usually anchored deep into the gums, with their roots and underlying structures hidden and protected from harmful external elements. However, when you develop gum disease and your gums are affected, the gum pockets widen, exposing your teeth’s structures. This leaves the roots at risk of developing cavities.
Other than gum disease, some people have receding gums. These are mainly older adults and people who have suffered from gum disease. Receding gums expose much of your natural teeth, which weakens the teeth and puts them at risk of plaque and decay. The roots of a natural tooth are not as strong as the tooth itself. They do not have the strong enamel, which protects the tooth from harmful bacteria. This increases the root’s vulnerability to tooth decay.
A skilled dentist can diagnose and treat root decay immediately after it starts to protect your natural tooth and the adjacent teeth. They can also recommend treatment for your receding gums to prevent recurring problems. Thus, you need to maintain a regular schedule for dental checkups and examinations with your dentist to prevent cavities and other oral and dental issues. You must also seek treatment immediately if you notice an unusual change of color on any part of your tooth.
Fortunately, dentists have various treatments for tooth decay. Your dentist can recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel and prevent further damage to your teeth.
Recurrent Decay
Recurrent or secondary decay occurs around an existing dental restoration, like a dental crown or filling. If repair is not done correctly, it could trap some foods and sugars when you eat and drink and become a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Also, restorations could weaken and damage after years of continuous use of your teeth, creating nooks and crannies where harmful bacteria can thrive. If a restoration is no longer effective or does not protect the tooth as it should, the tooth is at a higher risk of redeveloping a cavity.
This type of decay also occurs due to plaque buildup. Once the stuck foods combine with oral bacteria, they produce an acidic reaction, and plaque builds up on the tooth. You must ensure that your dental restorations are functional, not damaged, and always fit well. Your dentist can provide this during regular dental checkups and examinations. If they notice a weakness in your restoration, the dentist can recommend a quick fix to keep your teeth safe from decay.
Smooth Surface Tooth Decay
This type of decay affects the flat surface of a natural tooth. Regular brushing and flossing make these places without natural fissures or pits easier to keep clean. However, once plaque builds up on the smooth surface, decay develops and progresses slowly, resulting in significant tooth damage if neglected without treatment. This could happen to people who neglect regular oral hygiene habits and consume sugary and starchy foods. Harmful bacteria thrive in these sugars and can quickly produce plaque that builds on various parts of your teeth in no time.
A regular oral hygiene schedule involving daily brushing and flossing is one way to prevent this type of decay. You must also faithfully visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings. These remove any buildup on your teeth that could encourage the growth of decay-causing bacteria. Professional cleaning also targets the hard-to-reach areas on your teeth and mouth to discourage the growth of harmful bacteria.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Prevention is better than cure. Dentists have mastered ways in which people of all ages can prevent tooth decay to enjoy beautiful, healthy, and strong teeth for a long time. Here are some of the strategies you can apply to protect your teeth from decay:
Create and Consistently Follow a Particular Oral Hygiene Routine
Good oral hygiene is highly recommended to protect your teeth from decay. It comprises brushing your teeth after every meal, or at least twice daily, and flossing daily. This removes food particles, sugars, and starches from the mouth after eating. It also removes buildup on your teeth and gums that could cause decay.
Having a good oral hygiene routine is not enough. You have to practice it consistently for the desired results. Practice the daily routine until it is a critical part of your everyday life. While at it, dentists recommend using a soft brush to avoid damaging your gums, which could cause gum recession. You also need to choose a fluoride-based toothpaste to strengthen your enamel.
Your dentists can recommend including a fluoride-based mouthwash in your dental care routine. This removes the harmful bacteria to keep your mouth fresh daily and reduces your risk of decay.
Stick to a Balanced Diet
What you eat is essential for your oral health and general well-being. A balanced diet is not only good for your entire body but also your teeth, gums, and entire mouth. Different healthy foods play a vital role in the body. For example, calcium improves the strength of your bones and similar structures, like your teeth. Thus, your dentist will recommend including calcium-rich foods in your diet to improve the strength and functionality of your teeth.
Your balanced diet should be rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and dairy products, as these support your general and oral health. You must carefully select what goes on your plate and what to avoid for healthy, cavity-free teeth. For example, you can eliminate or minimize starchy and sugary foods, as these increase your risk of decay. Your dentist will also advise you to reduce snacks, as most snacks are rich in unhealthy starches and sugars.
Consider Regular Dental Examinations and Checkups
This, too, is highly recommended by dentists as a preventive measure for tooth cavities. You can schedule visits with your dentist every six months for general dental examinations and checkups. During these visits, your dentist will also clean your teeth professionally to remove buildup and stuck foods in your teeth and mouth.
A lot happens during these visits that can help prevent tooth decay. In addition to professional cleaning, your dentist will examine your teeth for early signs of decay and recommend the best treatment to stop the decay and save your other teeth. They will also examine your dental restorations to ensure they are safe, fit well, and work as they should to protect the affected tooth and adjacent teeth. Your dentist will also recommend strategies and tips to practice at home to protect your teeth from decay and keep them strong and healthy.
Consider Having Dental Sealants
Sealants are installed on the chewing part of the teeth to protect them from cavities. Dentists recommend dental sealants for children and teens, as these are more prone to cavities than adults. However, you can ask for sealants at any age for peace of mind and to protect your teeth against cavity-causing bacteria.
Dentists apply a protective coating on the premolars and molars to seal the nooks and crannies, which are perfect breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Once these areas are sealed, you will no longer worry about stuck foods and sugars that could result in buildup and cavities. Once installed, dental sealants can serve you for years. You can return to your dentist’s office for a fresh application to continue enjoying the protection.
Sealants are affordable and easy to apply, and the application process is also less invasive. They do not interfere with teeth’s appearance or function, making them the best choice for people at high risk of cavities.
Use Fluoride-Based Dental Products
Fluoride remineralizes the enamel, strengthening it against cavity-causing bacteria. Although the enamel is generally robust, continuous use of your teeth, wear and tear, and elements like the acid produced by harmful oral bacteria weaken it over time. A weak enamel will quickly give way once the bacteria attack your teeth.
Dentists recommend using fluoride-based products like toothpaste and mouthwash to remineralize the enamel continually. This keeps your teeth safe from cavities and other damages and breakages that happen to weak teeth.
Find a Skilled Dental Care Expert Near Me
Tooth decay is dangerous as it weakens your natural teeth, renders them dysfunctional, and eventually results in tooth loss. You must protect your teeth from decay with the help of a skilled dentist. Encino dentists recommend a regular dental care routine, regular dental examinations and checkups, and regular professional teeth cleaning to prevent cavities. We recommend incorporating fluoride-based products into your dental care routine at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa. Our dental care experts have more skills and experience handling tooth decay. Call us at 818-751-5100 to learn more about us and our services.
