Dental decay is not surprisingly, a common occurrence in people of different ages. Anyone, young or old can have or experience dental decay. Sadly, the fact that it affects people of all ages does not stop it from happening, as various people continue to expose themselves to factors leading to dental decay.
Dental decay is a situation whereby the dentine of a tooth or teeth, and it’s enamel are softened by acid attack. It happens when there is excessive consumption of food or drink containing sugar. Dental decay, also known as tooth decay, occurs slowly, creating a hole or cavity in the affected tooth due to the acid attack.
Dental decay is caused primarily by the plague acids dissolving the enamel and dentine of the tooth. Depending on the extent of the damage, dental decay can permanently damage the teeth, requiring a filling or complete extraction.
The enamel is the hardest part of the tooth. It is the outer, hard coating of the tooth. There are no blood vessels or nerve present in the enamel, and is thus, not sensitive to any form of pain.
The dentine is found directly under the enamel. It forms most of the tooth and is extremely sensitive to pain. The dentine is responsible for covering the central pulp of the tooth.
The Pulp is the soft tissue in the middle of the tooth that contains the blood vessels and nerves.
Plague is a thin, sticky film, containing a lot of bacteria. The plaque forms on the teeth, leading to bad breath and tooth decay.
The primary factor responsible for tooth decay is sugar. The sugar present in foods we consume react with the bacteria in the plaque to form acids. It is these acids that attack and soften the enamel, gradually eating and dissolving it. This acid attack can continue for as long as possible, even hours, until the enamel is remineralised by the help of the salts in the saliva.
The sugar that starts the decay process does not only come from sugary foods and drinks; it also includes the sugars in carbohydrates, fruits and even cooked starches. Bear in mind that, any food containing ‘ose’ in its name is sugar. Examples include maltose, lactose etc.
Our dentists at Harley street Dental Clinic London, would not advise you to stay completely away from sugar. Instead, we would advise you to always check the ingredients of foods before consuming them. We also encourage you to cut down or reduce the intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Usually, there are no symptoms of dental decay at the onset. This means you can go on for a while without feeling any pain. However, with an examination or an X-ray, our dentist Harley street London can detect a cavity during the early stages.
Spotting a cavity at early stages makes it much easier to treat, than advanced stages of tooth decay. This is one of the reasons why it is important to visit your dentist regularly, as it will create opportunities for cavities to be detected on time.
Having a cavity does not necessarily mean you will be subjected to pain or sensitivity; this only happens when the cavity has reached the dentine. The sensitivity will occur when you consume sweet, cold or hot foods. If you fail to treat the cavity at this point, it will spread to the pulp, causing toothache.
At this point, if you visit us at The Harley street Dental Clinic London, the tooth decay can be controlled and treated. Otherwise, you may develop a dental abscess. If the situation becomes severe, the tooth will have to be extracted. Contact us today to book an appointment.
Dental decay is not a condition that should be left for a long time. If you fail to get your dental decay treated as soon as possible, you stand a chance of losing a tooth permanently. Usually, toothache should be a warning sign that you require urgent dental care. Taking precautions on time can save your tooth.
Yes, indeed, all areas of the teeth can be affected. However, most areas affected are the biting surfaces of the teeth and also the surfaces of the teeth generally. This is because foods are more likely to be stuck in these areas more than others.
The treatment you will get for dental decay depends on the severity of the problem. If the decay is not so serious, or it is at its early stages, the decay will be removed, and the teeth repaired with a dental filling.
If the decay has gone beyond the initial stage and has affected the nerve of the tooth, then our dentists at Harley street London recommend root canal treatment as a treatment option. Root canal treatment involves removing the damaged nerve and repairing the teeth with a filling or a dental crown.
If however, the decay has severely affected the tooth, probably to the point where it cannot be repaired anymore, the only option would be to extract the tooth entirely.
Although it is an effective treatment method, it is not always necessary. At the initial stage of dental decay, a filling may not be needed. Instead, a fluoride varnish can be applied to the area to prevent more decay from setting in and also help the enamel to remineralise. Afterwards, a fluoride toothpaste will always be recommended to prevent decay from setting in again.
Nobody wants to experience dental decay, but sometimes, situations are beyond our control. However, as humans, there are actions we can take to protect our teeth from the attack of acids. A good example is the pit and fissure sealant for adults. This sealant fills up all the small crevices and spaces in the teeth using plastic coating. It is beneficial because it creates a flat surface, making the teeth easier to clean.
For children, however, there is the option of fluoride varnish. This can be painted on their teeth twice a year to prevent decay.
Before any of these methods are chosen, you should consult with your dentist to determine whether or not it is right for you.
The most appropriate and easiest way to avoid tooth decay is to brush your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste. Flossing is equally important, as it reaches areas that may not be easily accessible through toothbrushes. Otherwise, you can use interdental brushes to remove plaque and food sediments in-between teeth and point where teeth meet gum.
Furthermore, preventing dental decay also involves less consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Also cut down on the use of acidic foods, and in-between snacks and meals. This will reduce the number of times your teeth is likely to come under attack.
Booking appointments with our dentist Harley street London, and visiting them regularly also helps in preventing dental decay. This makes it so much easier for any cavity to be detected at early stages and treatment administered.
Harley Street Dental Clinic London is the one dental clinic where you can get quality dental treatment anytime. Our experienced dentists are always available to attend to all of your dental problems. Send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 02071830903. Get in touch with us today.
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