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A Guide To Tooth DecayTooth decay - Types, causes and prevetion all explained

Tooth Decay - A Complete

GuideThis page will introduce you to the problem of tooth decay.In particular we’ll provide a summary of the main tooth decay causes, including those you will probably know and somesurprises! There is also a low-down on dental decay symptomsand different types of cavities.

 We will then lead on to the prevention and treatment of decay .

The factors that cause of tooth decay

Tooth Decay Causes: The Obvious

and the Sneaks What is tooth decay? – Put simply, decay (known as dentalcaries, or simply cavities) is the destruction of teeth caused by plaque acids.

There are two main tooth decay causes:

1. Certain types of bacteria  which are found in dentalplaque. Plaque is that thin, white film that is constantly forming on your teeth after you brush (if you haven’t

 brushed your teeth in a few hours- scrape them with a

fingernail and see what comes off). When these bactefeed, they produce a harmful acid which erodes adestroys the tooth structure and can lead to cavities.

2. Food (and drinks). In particular, the main dangers asugars and carbohydrates. Plaque bacteria love theThey feed on the sugars/carbs and which they then tuinto plaque acids.

So as soon as we eat certain foods are teeth our under atta

 from plaque bacteria. This attack can last for at least an hountil the saliva helps neutralize the acids. Therefore the mooften we eat these foods; the higher the percentage of the dthe teeth are under attack. The FREQUENCY of taking theharmful foods and drinks is more important than the actuamount consumed.

Decay occurs on different areas of a toot

 Your teeth are more prone to decay in areas where theremore plaque build-up. These areas include :

• Grooves, pits or fissures. These are natural indentatio

on the teeth surfaces that are hard to clean. Fissurin particular can be deep on the biting surfaces of bateeth.

• The surfaces between teeth.

• Near the gum line, in particular where there is any gudisease or gum recession.

•  Around fillings, crowns, partial dentures or bridgewo

Particular foods bring higher risks o

causing tooth decay:Obvious/well known tooth decay causes:

• Candy/sweets.Candy is a key offender!

• Chocolate

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• Fizzy drinks and fruit juices

• Biscuits/cookies

• Ice cream

• Jam/jelly 

 Less well-known causes of cavities (the sneaks):

• Fruits

• Potato chips/crisps

• Breakfast cereals

• Pretzels

•  Yogurts

So it is not just well known foods that are bad for your teeth!!There are lots of ‘hidden’ sugars in food and seemingly healthy carbohydrates are broken down into harmful sugars in themouth.

There is a lot more advice and tips on foods that cause decay,as well as the dangers of snacking in our diet and teeth section.

Tooth Decay: The Process and

Types”How does a cavity develop and spread?” 

Three stages of tooth decay, from minor to major damage!

Click on image to enlarge.Decay is a gradual process that follows a well-recognizedpattern if it is left untreated:

1. The acid erodes the enamel just under the surface in asmall area that is hard to detect. A small white spot may 

 be visible. At this stage the damage is still reversible.

2. The tooth decay continues through the enamel until itreaches the softer dentine. At this stage it can be saidthat a true cavity has formed. It can then ‘mushroom’out rather quickly, destroying the dentine. A lot of thetooth can rot away without one knowing as the hard

enamel can stay intact. Once decay reaches the dentinthe damage done to the tooth is permanent and will onprogress.

3. The decay will eventually reach the dental pulp where tnerve of the tooth lies.

 Although all decay of teeth has the same underlying cauthere are particular scenarios where decay is more likely:

• In young childhood, the teeth can be destroyed by ‘ba bottle’ tooth decay. As the name suggests, it is caus by a child being given a bottle (of milk or juice) to sle with. This type causes rampant destruction of the bateeth, especially if the teeth are not cleaned properly the parent.

• In our later years, we become more at risk of caries the exposed surfaces of the roots of teeth; ‘root carie

The roots of teeth are more likely to become exposas one gets older due to gum disease, gum recession aabrasion (over-brushing). As roots have no overlyiprotective enamel they are more susceptible to diseas

• Dry mouth is also more likely as one gets older. Dmouth (xerostomia) is a reduction in the flow of salivAs saliva normally helps protect the teeth, any reducti

in flow will put the teeth at more risk of decay.

Cavities can also form underneath or around any dental wothat has been placed. For example:

• Underneath fillings. A particular risk is if a filling brea but remains in place, so trapping plaque and food.

•  Around crowns and bridges, particularly if they do notproperly or become loose.

•  Around orthodontic braces and retainers.

• Underneath partial dentures.

Tooth Decay: The Symptoms

 Image of a dental x-ray with severe tooth decay

In the early stages of tooth decay, there are no symptoms! This a crucial point! It is a key reason why you should attend tdentist for regular check-ups; so they can find tooth decay th

 you may not be aware of. It is much better to find and tretooth decay as early as possible!

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Once dental caries reaches the dentine inside the tooth, theremay be sensitivity to cold, hot and sweet foods/drinks.

However, it is often not until the rot has advanced deep into thetooth and caused a large degree of destruction that the toothcauses problems. At this stage, the tooth may break as the shellof hard enamel gives way due to the dentine underneath beingrotten.

Toothache will occur once the dental caries gets near the nerve,or ‘pulp’ of the tooth. This toothache may begin as sensitivity 

only. However, if left untreated it can progress to severe painas the nerve begins to die off. This pain is typically worse atnight, brought on by hot food/drink more than cold and itlingers for a long time after the heat is gone.

Toothache is a sign that there is damage to the tooth, it mustnot be ignored. Visit your dentist immediately. Any delay may result in a tooth rotting beyond repair.

Tooth Decay: Summary

There are two main contributing factors that cause decay:plaque bacteria and the foodstuffs we eat/drink. There are also

situations both in terms of life-stages and the condition of ourteeth/mouth that can put us at increased risk of decay.

 As tooth decay often is ‘silent’ (you are not aware of it) untilit has done a lot of tooth damage. Visit your dentist regularly and get treatment when needed. Prevention and tooth decay treatment are discussed for you in the following pages.