Learning More About Dental Decay and Your Oral Health
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay basically is a hole in your tooth that's caused by bacteria in your mouth. The acid it produces after consuming the food you eat causes a hole in your tooth. The decay is actually the breakdown of the tooth.
What causes dental decay?
Dental decay is caused by a specific type of bacteria in your mouth. It's called Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria uses the byproducts of your mouth, which is basically the food that you eat, especially sugars like those in sodas. It processes the sugar as food just like we would and also has to excrete its waste. Its waste is acid, and the acid literally causes your tooth to melt away. Combine that with something like soda, which is acidic and very sugary, and it really increases the speed at which you will get tooth decay.
What are signs of tooth decay?
Tooth decay can sometimes be painless. Sometimes, the only way you see it is because you have a black or a dark spot on your tooth. Other signs could be a sensitivity to sweets. When you have something sweet, the bacteria in your mouth will start eating that sweet, then it produces the acid, and you feel the pain.
Also, cold sensitivity, heat sensitivity, and sometimes it's just visual. You see dark, ugly spots between your teeth.
What are the effects of tooth decay?
The effect of tooth decay is that it starts to destroy your tooth. If it's small and very superficial, sometimes it can be reversed with fluoride or some other mouth products we have. But when it gets larger and breaks through the hard outer part of the enamel, we have to restore that hole with some kind of filling. The worst effect of tooth decay is if the hole gets too big and reaches the nerve of the tooth. It can permanently affect the nerve of the tooth, and you may need to have a root canal.
Can tooth decay lead to other complications?
It can lead to more serious effects where your teeth start to hurt spontaneously or the nerve gets affected. When the nerve is affected, we often have to clean that nerve out in a procedure called a root canal. It's always best to try to treat tooth decay in its early stages. That way, we can do minimal treatment of your tooth. It's cheaper and less involved.
Can tooth decay be reversed?
Sometimes if it's a very small cavity that has not broken the outer surface of the tooth, the enamel part, a tooth can be remineralized with fluoride or other products like hydroxyapatite. Once it hits the dentin, it's hard to return it to normal. There are some special fluorides that can be used, but they grossly discolor the teeth. For the most part, it can only be returned to normal when it's very superficial or just beginning.
At what point is tooth decay irreversible?
Once it breaks through the hard outer surface of the tooth called enamel and into the soft part called dentin, it's kind of irreversible. You can maybe halt it from progressing, but you've lost tooth structure and will likely need some kind of restoration, filling, or maybe even a crown.
What are some treatments for tooth decay?
The first treatment is good oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth to help prevent decay or halt it if it's in the incipient stage.
Once it breaks into the tooth, the treatment involves removing the affected tooth part. We have to take the softened tooth out, usually brown or black, and by doing that, we remove the bacteria causing the cavity. Then we fill that hole with something to restore the tooth to proper use so you can bite, chew, and it looks like a tooth.
How do I stop tooth decay from spreading?
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, and that bacteria is communicable. We usually get it from our parents. As kids, we share spoons with our parents, introducing the bacteria into our mouths. To keep it from spreading, maintain good oral hygiene, brush, floss, and get fluoride treatment. If you already have it, keep those numbers down by keeping your mouth clean and using fluoride to strengthen and mineralize your teeth.
Is tooth decay painful?
It can be, depending on the stage. If you just have very superficial cavities, often you don't have symptoms, just discoloration. It can be very painful as the decay gets closer to your nerve. For some people, the pain becomes spontaneous, where the tooth just hurts on its own and where the nerve is maybe irreversibly affected by that cavity. It depends on how big the cavity is.
When should I see a dentist about treating tooth decay?
The best time is preventatively before you get it. If you're already noticing stains or sensitivity, the earlier you get seen, the better. Nothing improves with time when something's broken. The earlier you address the issue, the cheaper and easier it is to deal with. So, sooner is always better than later.
You’re never alone in caring for your dental health. At Delgado Dental Group, our team is here to support and meet you where you are in your dental journey. Call (209) 474-8888 or email [email protected] to connect with us today.