Cavities/tooth decay - Symptoms and causes

We all get told to brush our teeth every day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You should also floss at least once a day and visit a dentist regularly. It is important that you choose a dentist with a good reputation, such as this dentist in Little Bay.

Unfortunately, even if you adhere to a good dental care regime, you can get cavities and tooth decay. That’s actually why it’s so important to visit the dentist regularly.

The cause Of Tooth Decay

Most of the feed you eat is actually full of sugars and starch when you eat most of the food goes down your throat and into your stomach, but small amounts of debris cling to your teeth. The sugars and starches then react with the bacteria in your mouth, resulting in the production of acid. This acid will attack the hard enamel covering on your teeth.

Over time, it will wear the enamel down, leaving the inner dentin exposed. This is much softer and will quickly erode, allowing bacteria into your tooth. At this point, you’ll start to feel the pain of a toothache and you’re likely to have an infection. If left, the infection will develop into an abscess which can cause more damage to your teeth.

In fact, an untreated abscess can actually cause damage to your bone!

The main cause of all of this is eating sugar, but you need to eat to survive. However, you can reduce your sugar intake by avoiding snacks, especially sugary ones. You should also make sure that you adhere to your dental hygiene routine, (that’s brushing and flossing).

Plaque

If you look in your mouth you’ll find that there is often a thin coating on your teeth, you can scrape it off with your fingernail. This is plaque, the substance that contains the acid that attacks your teeth.

If you’re seeing it regularly on your teeth you need to brush them more often, or you’re encouraging tooth decay.

Dry Mouth

Your saliva is surprisingly effective at washing plaque away from your teeth, that’s actually part of the reason sugar-free gum is beneficial for your tooth health.

If you’re prone to a dry mouth you’re likely to be more susceptible to plaque and tooth decay.

The Symptoms

If you experience all or any of the following, then you need to get to the dentist quickly, you’ve almost certainly got tooth decay and need assistance.

Pain

Toothache is the most common and obvious symptom that you have a dental issue. Assuming it’s not a result of trauma, a toothache is a sign that bacteria have got into your tooth and infection has started. In effect, the infection is placing pressure on the nerves inside your tooth.

The pain is likely to be intense, you’ll need painkillers while you wait for your appointment.

Pressure

Pressure is usually detected by pain when biting or an increase in the sensitivity of your teeth. You may also notice swelling in your cheek. Both indicate the enamel is worn and a cavity is likely.