Tooth decay is the most common oral problem suffered by the younger mass. The studies show almost 200 million people are diagnosed with tooth decay every year, of all age groups. Tooth decay is a dental condition when the Enamel of the tooth gets worn out as well as the Dentin. Cavities are the primary reason for tooth decay which builds up mostly due to poor oral hygiene. However, tooth decay can easily be avoided or treated by maintaining basic oral hygiene practices.

Causes

A high carbohydrate diet escalates the bacteria-building process in your mouth. Feeding on the starch and sugar present in the food, the bacteria produce acids which escalate the plaque building process. Plaques not only build on the outer or the inner surface of the enamel but also between the teeth. Plaque can do serious damage to the teeth if not removed in time. Not only it hardens and causes Gingivitis or Periodontitis, but the acid present in it also damages the enamel’s outer surface.

Decay

Initially, the acids damage the outer surface which creates a few white spots on the enamel. These spots will later wear out and multiple holes will appear on the enamel. Once the acids are through the enamel it reaches a softer tissue in the Dentin. The Dentin carries tubes that connect to the nerves in the root. As the Dentin suffers damages, you will start feeling sudden sensitivities while eating cold food or chewing harder food particles.

If you don’t treat it quickly the damage will escalate to the pulp resulting in a swell. The nerves in the pulp can damage-causing serious pain and even bleeding. If the pulp is damaged severely, it can develop inflation, causing a pocket of puss and blood (abscess) inside the pulp. Abscess causes serious pain in the gums and eventually spread onto the jaw, face, and even the neck. You may suffer from sudden fever apart from the pain in the face. The abscess can cause infection in the pulp and as a result, the enamel can lose its grip and eventually fall off the jawbone.

Cures

Tooth decay can e avoided by maintaining basic oral hygiene as well as the occasional visit to the dentist.

• Brushing twice a day and washing your mouth after a meal can slow the cavity-building process in your teeth.
• The use of a fluoride mouthwash can be of huge help. It can kill bacteria and help prevent the plaque-building process.
• Apart from fluoride-containing mouthwash, drinking fluoridated water can also help prevent tooth decay.
• Brushing in between the teeth is very important as the food particles most of the time got stuck in those gaps. Different people have different teeth set and variable gaps between their teeth. There are different types of toothbrushes available for cleaning the hard-to-reach areas. Toothbrushes like Sulcabrush and Interdental Brush are specially designed to clean these areas.
• Avoiding starchy food and sweet snacks like candies, chocolates, and sweet beverages can help fighting tooth decay. The fewer amount of carbohydrates and sugary foods are consumed the fewer bacteria formation happens inside your mouth.
• Regular checkups can help detect tooth decay at an early stage. This can prevent Dectin damage or abscess formation in the gum. However, if you are not visiting your professional dental expert regularly whenever you experience pain or inflation in your gums it is important to visit the dentist.