Adult Tooth Decay |
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What Adults Should Know About Tooth Decay
Cavities Aren't Just for Kids!
We all hate to hear that our dentist has found new cavities since our last visit. Even worse, some cavities create pain that we can do little to relieve. Cavities are areas of decay on teeth, and they can form on any surface of a tooth. To repair a cavity, the decay must be removed and replaced with a man-made substance. How can you deter decay to avoid negative reports from your dentist and nagging oral pain? First, you must understand what causes tooth decay.
The Cause
A healthy mouth contains natural, good bacteria that neutralize acids and help clean up food particles. Your saliva also helps strengthen teeth by restoring the minerals that protect teeth from decay.
Sometimes bad bacteria, plaque, can throw a healthy mouth’s homeostasis into chaos. Made from mucus, saliva, decaying food, and bad bacteria, plaque is a sticky substance that can build up on your teeth. Harmful bacteria in plaque emit acids that eat away tooth enamel and create cavities. These acids can eat into the tooth, through the enamel, through the dentin, to cause pain where nerves and blood vessels are vulnerable. Treatment for cavities that have grown large enough to affect the nerve involves a root canal or an extraction. In short, tooth decay can kill teeth.
The Cure
To prevent tooth decay, see your dentist twice each year for a thorough cleaning and oral exam. At home, you should brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after each meal and floss daily. Mouthwashes and fluoride rinses can help destroy harmful bacteria and re-mineralize teeth. Of course, staying away from foods high in sugars and starches will help since bad bacteria consider these items delicacies.
If you have cavities, get them filled as soon as possible, before they grow and cause extensive damage. Professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants can also help deter tooth decay. Some patients have more problems with plaque than others. We’ll gladly help you understand the particularities of your mouth and recommend ways to prevent tooth decay.